Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate on Monday dismissed former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud's recent remarks about the prolonged incarceration of 2020 Delhi riots accused Umar Khalid. Shrinate labeled the comments as mere "fancy words," which immediately drew sharp criticism from BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla.
Shrinate Questions Judicial Actions
Shrinate took to social media platform X to express her skepticism. She pointed out that Khalid's bail plea was filed in the Supreme Court in 2023 during Chandrachud's own tenure as CJI. According to her, the plea faced over ten adjournments. Shrinate also highlighted that as master of the roster, Chandrachud assigned the case to Justice Bela Trivedi's bench, implying he knew the likely outcome.
"These are just fancy words at a literature festival!" Shrinate wrote. "But what stopped him from doing the right thing?" Her post directly challenged the former chief justice's recent statements made at the Jaipur Literature Festival.
BJP Leader Accuses Congress of Attacking Judiciary
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla swiftly responded to Shrinate's comments. He accused the Congress party of questioning the wisdom of the Supreme Court and attacking both former CJI Chandrachud and Justice Bela Trivedi. Poonawalla claimed this was an attempt to protect the party's vote bank.
"The Sharjeel-Umar Bachao Gang has become active in the name of vote bank politics," Poonawalla stated on X, referring to another accused in the Delhi riots case, Sharjeel Imam. He further alleged that Congress consistently attacks constitutional bodies and shows sympathy towards individuals involved in controversial cases.
Background of the Case
On January 5, the Supreme Court rejected the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. However, the court granted conditional bail to five co-accused individuals. Khalid was arrested in September 2020, while Imam was taken into custody in January 2020. Both arrests relate to the communal riots that erupted in Delhi in February 2020 during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
The accused had approached the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court denied their bail applications. The riots themselves were a period of significant violence and tension in the national capital.
Chandrachud's Remarks at Literature Festival
Former CJI DY Chandrachud made his comments during a session at the Jaipur Literature Festival on Sunday. When asked about the Supreme Court's denial of bail to Khalid and Imam, Chandrachud emphasized that bail before conviction should generally be considered a right. He stressed the importance of the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
"If someone remains an undertrial prisoner for five or seven years and is finally proven innocent, how will you compensate for the time lost?" Chandrachud questioned. He acknowledged that courts must conduct thorough examinations in cases involving national security before granting bail.
The former chief justice outlined three grounds for denying bail: likelihood of reoffending, tampering with evidence, or using bail to evade the law. He stated that if these conditions are not met, bail should be granted. Chandrachud has a notable judicial record, including being part of the bench that struck down the electoral bonds scheme in February 2024.
Political Reactions and Broader Context
This exchange highlights ongoing political tensions regarding judicial processes and national security cases. Shrinate's criticism reflects broader scrutiny of judicial delays and decisions, while Poonawalla's response frames the issue as an attack on institutional integrity. The debate continues to resonate in political circles, especially concerning high-profile cases linked to the 2020 Delhi riots.
