By Admin 
On January 8, 2026, arguments were presented on behalf of accused Sharjeel Imam in the major conspiracy case related to 2020 Delhi riots in Karkardooma Court, Delhi. His lawyer Ahmed Ibrahim said in the court that no conspiracy has been proved against Sharjeel and no conspiracy case has been made out in this case.
Consent of mind is necessary for conspiracy
In the court, Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai heard the debate on framing of charges. Sharjeel Imam’s lawyer argued that ‘consent of the mind’ is necessary for the conspiracy, but there is no such evidence. He said that Sharjeel has no connection with the WhatsApp chats included in the charge sheet. No phone calls or chats linking him with his co-accused.
While giving clarification in the court, Sharjeel said, ‘The allegation of the police that Umar Khalid was my mentor is completely wrong. Omar Khalid is not my guru.
What arguments were given in favor of Sharjeel Imam?
- The entire case is based on WhatsApp chats, but Sharjeel is not associated with any chat.
- Sharjeel had no direct role in the riots, he has only been included on charges of conspiracy.
- They had distributed pamphlets against CAA, but it was against discrimination.
- The speech given on 13 December 2019 is not related to the violence of 15 December.
- There was no violence after leaving the Shaheen Bagh protest site.
- Did not go to any protest site from January 3 to January 13, then gave speeches in Aligarh, West Bengal and Bihar where no violence took place.
- He is in jail since January 28, 2020, hence not involved in any planning related to Trump’s visit to India (February 2020).
- Did not participate in any meeting or discussion that could lead to violence.
- The police showed a photo of a meeting in September 2019, but Sharjeel never spoke to Umar Khalid.
- Mention of violence is necessary for the conspiracy, but there is nothing like that in his speeches.
- No chat or call related to violence or conspiracy has been found.
Lawyer Ahmed Ibrahim said, ‘Consent is necessary for conspiracy, mere discussion is not enough.’ He told the court that Sharjeel has not even been called ‘top conspirator’.
Sharjeel Imam has been imprisoned for 6 years
This case is related to the North-East Delhi riots of 2020, in which 53 people were killed and hundreds were injured. The riots took place during the CAA-NRC protests. Police allege that this was a big conspiracy, in which many people including Umar Khalid were involved.
Sharjeel Imam has been made an accused under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Sharjeel is in jail since 28 January 2020. Recently, on January 5, 2026, the Supreme Court had rejected the bail plea of him and Umar Khalid, but granted bail to the other 5 accused.