Delhi Police Claims Intellectual Rioters Pose Greater National Security Threat Than Ground Operatives

The Delhi Police, while contesting bail petitions from 2020 Delhi riots accused including Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid, drew parallels between these individuals and the terrorists responsible for the November 10 Red Fort blast that claimed 13 lives.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the Delhi Police, argued that "so-called intellectuals" pose a greater national security threat than uneducated terrorists operating in the field. He referenced the Red Fort incident, where investigations uncovered a sophisticated terror network involving several medical professionals.

"Intellectuals who guide and become terrorists are more dangerous than ground operatives. These individuals represent the real threat, and it's concerning that through state support and subsidies, they become doctors and activists. Such activists are particularly dangerous. A narrative is constructed portraying them as intellectuals when bail applications are submitted," Raju contended.

Raju further claimed that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests served as a distraction. According to him, the actual objectives behind these demonstrations were regime change and economic destabilization of the country.

During proceedings, Raju presented video evidence of Imam's speech, which contained controversial statements calling for "Chakkajam" (roadblocks) across Indian cities. In the footage, Imam urged Muslims to unite and sever the 'chicken neck' (Siliguri corridor in West Bengal) that connects northeastern states to mainland India. The video also captured Imam advocating for disrupting essential supplies to Delhi and paralyzing government operations, stating, "Court ko uski naani yaad aajayegi, court aapka hamdard nahi hai (the court will face difficulties, it is not your ally)."

Raju emphasized that despite Imam's engineering qualifications, he had abandoned his professional career to engage in anti-national activities.

The police also examined Khalid's Amravati address, which allegedly discussed issues including triple talaq and the abrogation of Article 370.

Asserting that these activities constituted efforts to force regime change, Raju highlighted that the protests were strategically planned to coincide with US President Donald Trump's February 2020 visit to India.

He added that misleading narratives supporting these "so-called intellectuals" were being propagated on social media platforms without public awareness of the complete truth.

When Raju alleged that Imam had called for violent protest, the Bench questioned whether Imam had specifically used the term "violent" and noted that the complete video recording had not been presented in court. Raju acknowledged that authorities had not played the entire recording due to its length.

"Sharjeel Imam indicates this wasn't a peaceful demonstration or protest. He advocates for violent protest and the separation of Assam from India. He encourages people to arm themselves with batons. He frames this as an issue involving four nations - Bangladesh, Nepal, and others. He specifically refers to the 'Chicken's Neck' near Arunachal Pradesh," police representatives stated in court.

The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for Friday.