The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed seven activists accused in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots to furnish their permanent addresses at the next hearing.
A Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria issued the direction while considering the bail petitions filed by Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed, all charged with orchestrating a coordinated conspiracy to incite the unrest. No reasons were assigned for seeking the addresses.
Addressing senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Mr. Imam, Justice Kumar orally stated, “Please furnish the permanent addresses. Please inform the other accused as well.” Mr. Dave agreed to convey the instruction.
The court on Wednesday could not hear arguments on behalf of the accused owing to paucity of time. The judges expressed concern over the extended proceedings, observing that arguments on bail petitions ought to be concluded with greater promptness.
“The bail pleas are being argued as if they were a second appeal. Fresh arguments are being made,” Justice Kumar remarked.
