Delhi riots case: WhatsApp chats did not make call to arms or violence, Tahir Hussain tells court
The conversations cited by the police only mention ‘chakka jam’, not violence, said the former Aam Aadmi Party councillor.
Join our WhatsApp Community to receive travel deals, free stays, and special offers!
- Join Now -
Join our WhatsApp Community to receive travel deals, free stays, and special offers!
- Join Now -
Former Aam Aadmi Party Councillor Tahir Hussain told a Delhi court on Friday that his WhatsApp chats presented by the prosecution in the 2020 riots conspiracy case do not contain any instructions to pick up weapons or participate in violence, The Indian Express reported.
Hussain’s counsel Rajiv Mohan argued that the chats cited by the Delhi Police Special Cell in the case only mention “chakka jam”, or roadblocks, and peaceful protests, not violence or the use of weapons.
“Chakka jaam is not a terrorist act…is meeting people and protesting also a terrorist activity as per the agency?” Mohan told the court. “Nowhere in the WhatsApp messages is it mentioned that we should pick up weapons against the Government of India or its agencies.”
The court of Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai was hearing arguments on framing of charges in the case.
Clashes had broken out in North East Delhi in February 2020 between supporters of the Citizenship Amendment Act and those opposing the controversial legislation. The violence left 53 dead and hundreds injured. Most of those killed were Muslims.
Subsequently, the Delhi Police filed a case under the anti-terror provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act to investigate the alleged conspiracy behind the violence. The police had arrested 18 persons including Hussain. While six of the accused have...
