Thread by @barandbench

Delhi Court takes up cases concerning 2020 #DelhiRiots. Judicial custody extended over Umar Khalid, Sharjeel ends today.

Court also takes up an application made by Sharjeel Imam seeking return of written material allegedly taken by prison officials.

@UmarKhalidJNU
@_imaams

Court: There was an application moved by Sharjeel, what has happened to his belongings?

Jail Superintendent: As per the statement of officers, he has not handed over anything. Only Rs 1000 was recovered which has been deposited with the Govt treasury

Sharjeel Imam: I handed over at least 50 pages of written material…

Jail official: As per duty register, it only mentions record of Rs 1,000 was made from him and it was deposited in the treasury.

Sharjeel Imam: That is simply incorrect.

Jail official: Can you name out an official?

Imam: Sir it was the duty officer ...

Court records in order: Reply has been given that there have been no belongings belonging to accused (Imam) deposited with Jail no.2. Jail official has reiterated the same. The applicant submits that he was told by jail official that his belongings have been recovered.

Court: Concerned jail official is requested to coordinate with the concerned Asst Jail Superintendent so that the matter can be disposed of

Jail official: If he could name the official..

Court: He is saying the Asst Superintendent and the Roshan officer.

Matter posted to Dec 7

Court now takes up the main matter.

Umar Khalid: I just want to reiterate that hardcopies of both chargesheets (should be provided). Its hard to find contents of chargesheets from newspapers everyday.

#DelhiRiots

Court says it cannot order hard copies of the chargesheets to be provided now as its earlier order directing hardcopies has been stayed by Delhi High Court.

Court: It can't happen right now. Question of hardcopy is pending with the Delhi HC. It is beyond my power now

Court asks if softcopy should be provided to Khalid or his counsel

Khalid: How would I access a soft copy in jail?

Court again says it cannot order for hard copies now since the matter is pending in HC

Adv TrideepPais: I am counsel for Umar Khalid, kindly provide him soft copy

Court asks if Sharjeel Imam would also want a soft copy of the charge sheet.

Imam: What would I do with a soft copy in jail? We can't access soft copy. It may be handed to my counsel.

Adv Surabhi Dhar requests Court that both chargesheet and supplementary charge sheet should be provided.

Court: Don't worry, all of you will get an order from the court in the next hour.

Safoora Zargar, who was granted bail earlier, Ishrat Jahan, Meeran Haider, Tahir Hussain, Gulfisha, Shafi-Ur-Rahman, Tasleem, Natasha Narwal, Saleem, Athar Khan also among those present during the virtual hearing today.

#DelhiRiots

Meeran Haider: Is this option of getting soft copy available to us as well?

Court: It was given to the counsel, at this stage please consult your lawyer.

Court says on Dec 22 it will be providing it to the Jail superintendent to provide it to Umar and to Sharjeel's counsel.

Court says it is posting the matter on December 22 for scrutiny.

Court to SPP Amit Prasad: Since all the accused are linked, we will provide it to everybody

SPP agrees.

Court: Is softcopy prohibited to be inside jail?

Jail official: Pendrives are not allowed in jail for security reasons.

Sowjhanya Shankaran, appearing for Asif Iqbal says that pen drives have been allowed in Jail no. 6 where women are lodged, but not in the jails where the men are lodged.

Shankaran: In the jails where the men are, neither are emails been responded to nor are they allowed to be given a pen drive, nor are they given access to a computer which is there in the library.

#DelhiRiots

Shankaran: Nor are we allowed to print pages of the chargesheet and send to them.

So effectively, there is no manner in which they can effectively read the chargesheet, except through screenshare when we talk to them once or twice a week.

#DelhiRiots

Shankaran: They may clarify why it is allowed in some jails and not in others

Jail official: I am not aware of Jail no. 6. I have not seen pen drives allowed in Jail 2 because of security reasons. There is every chance of getting it misused.

#DelhiRiots

Matter posted to December 22. Court says it will pass an order shortly, in half an hour. Hearing has ended.