Tue Nov 05 19:49:07 UTC 2024: ## Delhi High Court Upholds Attempt to Murder Charge Against Activist Khalid Saifi in 2020 Riot Case

**New Delhi, November 6, 2024:** The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a challenge by activist Khalid Saifi against the framing of attempt to murder charges against him in connection with the February 2020 communal riots in northeast Delhi.

Saifi, founder of the organization ‘United Against Hate’, had argued that the charges under IPC Section 307 (attempt to murder) were untenable as charges against him under the Arms Act in the same case had been dropped. He also maintained that no weapon was recovered from his possession, and he wasn’t linked to any gunshot fired during the incident.

The prosecution alleges that Saifi, along with former Congress councillor Ishrat Jahan, instigated a mob in Khureji Khas. According to the FIR, a crowd gathered in Masjidwali Gali on February 26, 2020, refused to disperse despite police orders, pelted stones, and assaulted a head constable. The FIR also mentions an unidentified individual firing a gunshot at the head constable.

In January, a trial court had ordered the framing of charges against Saifi, Jahan, and 11 others, including those for attempt to murder, rioting, and unlawful assembly. While the charges were formally framed in April, all 13 individuals were discharged of charges related to criminal conspiracy, abetment, common intention, and offenses under the Arms Act.

The Delhi High Court’s decision to uphold the attempt to murder charge against Saifi comes as a blow to the activist, and is likely to be followed closely by observers of the case.

Read More