"Is It Wrong To Have Political Affiliation?": Ishrat Jahan On Delhi Riots Case

On Monday Ishrat Jahan, ex-Congress councillor sought bail in the Delhi Riots Case. Her lawyer argued while seeking the bail, "Is it wrong to have political affiliation?"

Ishrat Jahan who is accused of being the 'mastermind' of the northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case has been charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Jahan has applied for bail in the Delhi Court and asked whether it wrong to have a political affiliation.

The advocate representing Ishrat Jahan, Pradeep Teotia, argued that "There is no evidence. Is it wrong to have a political affiliation? What wrong have I committed? Stifling voices was the reason behind imposing UAPA. UAPA must be scrutinised."

Previously, Ishrat Jahan was granted interim bail for 10 days to get married and was directed not to tamper with the evidence or influence the witnesses. Her marriage was decided to be on June 12, 2020.

According to her sister, Sarwer Jahan, Ishrat Jahan has been the Congress councillor from 2012-17. She also added that Ishrat Jahan has also served as the All India Congress Committee (AICC).

During the Delhi riots, 700 people were injured and over 53 persons had lost their lives. Jahan has been booked under the anti-terror law along with several others in connection with the case. They included Jamia Millia Islamia student Asif Iqbal Tanha, JNU students Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita, Umar Khalid who was the student leader and Safoora Zargar, Jamia Coordination Committee member along with other accused.

JNU students Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita were released on bail last month along with Asif Tanha. The High Court had said that the State blurred the line between the right to protest and terrorist activity in anxiety to suppress dissent. After the pinjra tod activists were released from Tihar jail, many social media users called for the release of all political prisoners.