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This is an archive article published on July 26, 2021

Was held for plaint against BJP minister: Jamia alumni head arrested in Northeast Delhi riots case

The police have accused Rehman of collecting money to fund various sit-in protests, and providing logistical support and daily wages to women protesting against CAA and NRC. 

Delhi riots case, Delhi High court, Delhi Hc on Delhi riots, Delhi police, Delhi news, Delhi latest news, Delhi news update53 people had lost their lives in the Northeast Delhi riots of 2020. (File)

The president of Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association, Shifa-Ur-Rehman, who was arrested under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the Northeast Delhi riots, told a Delhi court on Monday that he was held for filing a complaint against a BJP minister.

The police have accused Rehman of collecting money to fund various sit-in protests, and providing logistical support and daily wages to women protesting against CAA and NRC.

Rehman had complained against BJP leaders Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and Kapil Mishra to the Delhi Police. He accused them of making inflammatory speeches during the Delhi Assembly elections which led to a firing incident at Jamia Millia Islamia University.

The court has adjourned the matter for further hearing on August 3.

Rehman’s lawyer Abhishek Singh told Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat that “there has been systematic violation if fundamentals rights. He was arrested for extraneous reasons”.

He told the court that there was sufficient material to conclude that the “allegations are false and the prosecution is motivated”. He referred to the court’s order asking the jail authorities to provide video conferencing facilities to Rehman in order to seek counsel with his lawyer which was not allowed twice.

“I have been targeted. Since the very inception the investigation has not been fair, attempt was to prevent the accused to get legal advice at the right time,” Singh told the court.

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Singh referred to Section 45 of the UAPA which provides for cognisance of offences under the Act. This section makes a provision of an independent review of the evidence gathered.

He told the court that the Delhi police recommended sanction on 28 July 2020, but the report was submitted on July 30.

“Was the investigation complete on this date? Was the evidence gathered by this date so that it could be reviewed? The exercise is a fraud on power. It’s a complete abuse of process of law. It couldn’t have been completed on the said date.The Prosecution committed the mistake of arresting me without any evidence. I was vindictively arrested as I had made a complaint against a BJP minister, ” Singh told the court

Singh added, “On what basis this review was conducted? The only conclusion that we can arrive at is that they were acting under dictation of someone. Grant of sanction was pre determined… Somebody had said do it, and it was done. There was absolute abdication of authority.”

 

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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