A court discharged former JNU student Umar Khalid and United Against Hate founder Khalid Saifi in a case related to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.

The FIR in the case was registered on the basis of the statement of Constable Sangram Singh who said a riotous mob had pelted stones on Main Karawal Nagar Road, besides setting ablaze several vehicles in a nearby parking lot on 24 February 2020.

Special Public Prosecutor Madhukar Pandey confirmed that Umar Khalid and Khalid Saifi were discharged in the matter by the court of Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala.

A detailed order in the matter is awaited.

Umar Khalid is accused in several other cases and facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the larger conspiracy behind the riots and these matters are pending in court.

The Karawal Nagar police station had registered an FIR against both accused along with others under various provisions of the IPC, including rioting and criminal conspiracy along with the sections of the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Property Act.

The investigation of the case was later transferred to the Crime Branch.

Meanwhile Khalid’s father said he was hopeful that his son will be released from jail soon.

“By the grace of Almighty Allah and due to the continuous and exemplary efforts of senior advocate Triderp Pais and his team, Umar Khalid and Khalid Saifi has been discharged in the Delhi riot case of FIR 101.

“Let us hope they will also be discharged in FIR 59/2020. We are very happy that he has been discharged. We are positive that he will be discharged from the other court as well,” S Q R Ilyas told PTI over phone.

The “battle has been quite tough”, he said.