[Delhi Riots] Delhi High Court seeks response from Delhi Police in bail plea by RJD youth leader Meeran Haider

The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice to Delhi Police in an appeal filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) youth wing leader and Jamia student Meeran Haider challenging denial of bail in a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) related to Delhi Riots of 2020..The notice was issued by a bench of Justices Mukta Gupta and Mini Pushkarna which asked the police to file its response within four weeks and listed the matter for further hearing on July 21. During the hearing, Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad asked the judges whether the matter will be transferred to the bench headed by Justice Siddharth Mridul like the appeal by Umar Khalid. Justice Gupta however said that Khalid's case was transferred because it was a part heard matter. But the present case is a fresh appeal, Justice Gupta said. .Haider was arrested by the Delhi Police in April 2020, soon after the riots in the national capital. He has been charged with several section of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as UAPA. A special court denied him bail last month. .While denying his plea, Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat had held that the allegations against him of having been part of the conspiracy to orchestrate the riots were prima facie true. The order underscored the defence's contention that accused Haider worked on socio-political issues besides having a PhD, contending it was not relevant at the time of deciding the bail application.Besides Haider, the Delhi Police Special Cell has chargesheeted Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, United Against Hate activist Khalid Saifi, former Congress councillor Ishrat Jahan, former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, Pinjra Tod activists Gulfisha Fatima, Safoora Zargar, Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita. They were accused of hatching a “common conspiracy” by calling for a march, leading a mob and instigating communal feelings.While Jahan was granted bail in the case, the Court had dismissed the bail application of Khalid and Fatima recently.The Delhi Police claimed that a large number of students, ex-students and other members of a particular community participated in the anti-CAA rally..[BREAKING] Delhi Riots: Delhi Court refuses bail to Jamia student Meeran Haider in UAPA case.Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.