Counsel for Sharjeel Imam on Thursday told the Karkardooma Court that there was no “mentor–protégé” relationship between Imam and co-accused Umar Khalid

NEW DELHI: Counsel for Sharjeel Imam on Thursday told the Karkardooma Court that there was no “mentor–protégé” relationship between Imam and co-accused Umar Khalid, arguing that no conspiracy could be established against him in the larger 2020 Delhi riots case. Imam, whose bail plea was rejected by the Supreme Court on Jan 5, has been charge-sheeted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. His counsel told additional sessions judge Sameer Bajpai that the prosecution had presented “no agreement of minds”, which is essential to prove conspiracy and highlighted the absence of any calls, chats or communication linking Imam to Khalid or other accused.

Defence arguments also stressed that speeches attributed to Imam, including one at Jamia Millia Islamia in Dec 2019, had no causal link to the riots. The counsel added that Imam voluntarily distanced himself from Shaheen Bagh protests and later travelled to other states, where his speeches did not incite violence. Addressing protected witness claims regarding US President Trump’s India visit, the defence said Imam was arrested on Jan 28, 2020, and could not have participated in any planning, nor was he ever described as a “top conspirator”.