The 2020 Delhi riots have resurfaced in national headlines as the Delhi Police filed a sweeping-scale affidavit before the Supreme Court of India (SC) on October 30, 2025. According to the police, the violence was not an eruption of spontaneous public anger but rather a meticulously planned “regime-change operation” aimed at India’s sovereignty and internal harmony.
The 177-page affidavit has been submitted in connection with the bail pleas of prominent accused including Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, among others. The Delhi Police contends that there was “ocular, documentary, and technical evidence” linking the accused to a deep-rooted communal conspiracy engineered to weaponise dissent against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and strike at India’s integrity.
Conspiracy rather than chaos
In its legal stand, the Delhi Police asserts that the protests against the CAA were deliberately chosen as a “radicalising catalyst” under the guise of peaceful dissent. The affidavit alleges that the chaos was timed to coincide with then-US President Donald Trump’s visit to India — thereby drawing international attention and framing the narrative of an anti-Muslim pogrom.
The police say the accused engaged in “frivolous applications” and “coordinated non-cooperation” to delay the trial, arguing that the delay cannot serve as a ground for bail when the accused themselves have obstructed charge-framing and trial commencement.
Key individuals and evidence
The affidavit identifies Sharjeel Imam as a “key conspirator” working under the broader direction of Umar Khalid and others. According to the police filing, Imam orchestrated the first phase of unrest between December 2019 and January 2020 by making public speeches that allegedly encouraged a “Chakka Jam” (road blockade) in Delhi.
In addition, the document references chat messages and technical evidence — including communications citing Donald Trump — to substantiate the pre-meditation claim. The police say the intention was not mere protest but to “globalise” the CAA issue by portraying India as a nation suppressing Muslims.
Gravity of offence and plea for “jail not bail”
Invoking the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Delhi Police advance that “in offences which strike at the very root of the integrity of India, jail and not bail is the rule.” The affidavit contends that the accused have failed to rebut the prima facie presumption of guilt under UAPA and that the severity of the alleged conspiracy bars their release simply on the basis of trial delays.
The document adds that while the accused claim an unmanageable witness list (900+ witnesses), the investigation shows only about 100-150 material witnesses would need to be examined and the trial can move swiftly if the accused cooperate.
Wider impact and next steps
According to the police, the February 2020 violence resulted in the deaths of 53 people, widespread destruction of public property, and over 750 First Information Reports (FIRs) in Delhi alone. The affidavit claims evidence suggests an attempt to replicate the unrest across India, implying a pan-India mobilisation plan.
With the affidavit now before the Supreme Court, the bail pleas of the accused are expected to come up for hearing imminently. The police request swift denial of bail and expedited trial proceedings to preserve public order and constitutional integrity.