New Delhi: The AAP government in Delhi has granted sanction to prosecute former Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Umar Khalid who had once campaigned for the party. The list also includes PhD scholar at the varsity Sharjeel Imam along with others in connection to a case related to the February communal violence in northeast Delhi.
“This is a purely procedural matter. The elected government has no role to play in this,” an official said.
“The law department has given its legal opinion after due diligence to the home department of Delhi government. The elected government has no role to play in this.”
“Delhi government has not stopped prosecution in any case in the last five years, including those pertaining to AAP MLAs and party leaders,” said the official.
“We have received prosecution sanction against Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and Khan in connection with a case registered against them under the UAPA. We have received sanctions from both the Delhi government and the Ministry of Home Affairs,” a police officer said.
“To prosecute one under section 13 of the UAPA, we need sanction from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which we have already received. For prosecution under section — 16, 17 and 18 of the UAPA, we have received sanction from the Delhi government,” the officer said.
Hitting out at Chief Minster Arvind Kejriwal, Khalid’s father SQR Ilyas tweeted, “Arvindkejriwal unveiled.”
Taking to Twitter, JNU Students’ Union president Aishe Ghosh said, “Mr Kejriwal, each and every betrayal won’t be forgotten.”
“I am happy for my friends in the US. Regardless of the final outcome, they can take solace in the fact that they at least have a real opposition,” former JNU students leader Shehla Rashid tweeted quoting a story about sanction to Umar Khalid’s prosecution.
Khalid was arrested on September 13 under the UAPA act in a case related to communal violence in northeast Delhi.
The Special Cell of the Delhi Police had named in its charge sheet 15 accused under the provisions of stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the violence that erupted in the northeast parts of the national capital in February.
The accused include Pinjra Tod members and JNU students Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal, Jamia Millia Islamia student Tanha, Gulfisha Khatoon, former Congress Councillor Ishrat Jahan, Jamia Coordination Committee members Zargar, Meeran Haider, Shafa-Ur-Rehman, suspended AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain, activist Khalid Saifi, Shadab Ahmed, Tasleem Ahmed, Salim Malik, Mohd Salim Khan and Athar Khan.
Here’s how Twitterati’s reacted to AAP’s decision: