Delhi Court Frames Charges in 2019 CAA Protest Violence Case

Delhi's Saket Court has filed charges against Sharjeel Imam, Asif Iqbal Tanha, and others for inciting violence during anti-CAA protests in December 2019. The court claims Imam orchestrated actions leading to the destruction of property and attacks on officials and that he promoted communal enmity.

In a significant development, the Saket Court in Delhi has filed charges against Sharjeel Imam, Asif Iqbal Tanha, and nine others concerning the violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) in December 2019. The court accused Imam of being the mastermind behind the violent incidents, which included bus burnings and assaults on public officials.

The case originated from an FIR lodged at the New Friends Colony police station, later transferred to the crime branch for a detailed investigation. Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Singh said Imam and others were charged with abetment, criminal conspiracy, and promoting enmity between different groups, among other offenses.

The court expressed grave concerns over Imam's inflammatory speeches, which allegedly incited the Muslim community to protest disruptively. Proceedings highlighted that his actions were not merely peaceful protests but were orchestrations designed to incite communal violence, despite specific legal challenges remaining in suspense, pending Supreme Court rulings.