Jahangirpuri violence an ‘extension’ of anti-CAA protests, Northeast Delhi riots: Delhi Police chargesheet

Clashes broke out on April 16 on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti and 8-9 people were injured during firing and stone pelting that took place. Police said the situation was further aggravated after the Ram Navami clashes on April 10 in different parts of the country.

While Ansar was arrested soon after the violence, Tabrez went on to attend peace committee meetings organised by police later and was even spotted with senior officers. He was arrested in May. Ishrafil and his son are still absconding, said police.

“The men had discussions with locals in Jahangirpuri about the recent incidents against their community. We have recovered chats where the accused would influence others by saying ‘sab humare against hai, kuch karna hoga’. So far, it seems the men have been mobilising locals for protests since 2019. We found the accused were in touch with organisers and would send locals to Shaheen Bagh to participate in anti-CAA protests. After the Northeast Delhi riots, they wanted to take action but didn’t because of the pandemic,” claimed a senior officer citing the chargesheet.

“The accused might have sent money to locals for mobilisation. The money angle, involving Ansar, will be probed by the Enforcement Directorate and other teams,” said the officer. Police also claimed they found bricks and weapons from Ishrafil’s house and recovered bottles and bricks from the accused’s homes.

On April 16, police said a total of three rallies were held by locals and organisations in the locality. The accused and locals got into a heated argument during the first two rallies but didn’t get into a fight. “In the afternoon, a third rally was held by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other organisations. The accused said they were upset because of anti-CAA protests and riots. They had mobilised people to take matters into their own hands and were prepared for a fight this time. However, stone-pelting then started from both sides,” claimed the officer.

The chargesheet also mentions demolitions conducted by the UP government in different cities and how it “affected” the accused who were worried that the same would happen in Delhi.

The 2,063-page chargesheet filed in Rohini court said that while eight accused are on the run, others have been booked under charges of rioting, arson, attempted murder and criminal conspiracy and sections of the Arms Act. Investigating teams were led by DCPs Rohit Meena and Vichitra Veer along with ACP Abhinendra Jain. A total of 21 phones have been seized and are being scanned. Over 58 CCTVs and 90 phone and internet videos were obtained and examined during the probe and 20 of the 37 accused were spotted in the videos.

The investigation team also recovered nine firearms and nine swords. The chargesheet mentions that a total of 132 witnesses — 85 policemen and 47 from the public — were examined.