Delhi High Court Issues Notice On Asif Iqbal Tanha’s Plea Against Framing Of Charges In 2019 Anti-CAA Protest Case

Asif Iqbal Tanha on Monday moved the Delhi High Court challenging framing of charges against him in a case concerning alleged violence during the 2019 anti CAA protests in city’s Jamia Nagar area.

Justice sanjeev narora issued notice on the plea and sought response of the Delhi Police in the matter.

Tanha has challenged the trial court order passed on March 07. The Court today listed his plea for hearing on October 30 along with similar petitions filed by co accused, including Sharjeel Imam.

The trial court had framed charges in the case against Imam, Tanha and 9 other men, observing that Sharjeel Imam was not only an instigator but also was the kingpin of larger conspiracy to incite violence.

The trial court had said that being a senior Ph.D student, Sharjeel Imam “craftily” clothed his speech in which he “avoided” the mention of communities other than Muslim community but the intended victims of chakka jaam were members of communities other than Muslim community.

It had added that Imam’s speech was calculated to evoke anger and hatred, the natural consequence of which was commission of wide-spread violence by members of unlawful assembly on public roads.

The judge had added that Sharjeel’s speech was “venomous” and pitted one religion against another. It was, indeed, a hate speech, the Trial Court said.

The development ensued in FIR 242 of 2019 registered in NFC police station. It was alleged that during the protests, around 41 vehicles, including government vehicles and private vehicles, were damaged by unlawful assembly and stones were pelted at police officials.

Title: Asif Iqbal Tanha v. State and other connected matters