The Delhi High Court on Tuesday verbally observed that the WhatsApp chats of Athar Khan, one of those accused of involvement in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, prima facie prove a conspiracy, Live Law reported.
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The comments were made by a division bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Madhu Jain, which reserved its judgement in the bail application filed by Khan.
The verbal observation came while Khan’s counsel placed on record messages from a WhatsApp group.
“These messages actually prove the conspiracy, that they were together...” Bar and Bench quoted the court as having verbally remarked. “Sometimes when people conspire things go out of hand, and that is what has happened. We all were witness to these riots. These messages prove you were an active participant. This is shocking. If you agree to conspiracy, then what relief?”
Khan has sought bail on grounds of parity with Shadab Ahmad, another person accused in the matter who was granted bail by the Supreme Court.
The counsel for Khan contended that the WhatsApp chats show that the plan was to conduct non-violent protests. He also stated that no weapons were recovered from Khan.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the Delhi Police, argued that the role allegedly played by Khan was different to that of Ahmad, Live Law reported.
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