The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Delhi Police on a plea filed by accused Mohd. Khalid seeking discharge in the case concerning the 2020 murder of Head Constable Ratan Lal during the North-East Delhi riots.

Justice Shalinder Kaur directed the police to file their reply before the next date of hearing, scheduled for October 14. The prosecution also reserved its right to argue on the maintainability of Khalid’s petition.

Khalid, represented by advocates RHA Sikander, Mohd. Hasan, and Heema, has challenged a trial court order passed in November last year that framed charges against him under several serious provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 302 (murder), and Section 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

He was named as an accused in the fifth supplementary chargesheet and arrested in June 2023. He was granted bail in September the same year.

In his plea, Khalid has argued that there is no prima facie evidence linking him to the offence. He contends that neither the chargesheet nor witness statements under Section 161 CrPC establish any direct involvement or grave suspicion against him.

"Even if all allegations and statements are presumed to be true, the petitioner would not be liable for the offences alleged," the plea states.

The FIR (No. 60/2020), registered at Dayalpur police station, includes a wide range of charges under the IPC, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, and the Arms Act. It alleges that a mob of violent protesters armed with sticks, rods, and stones gathered on the main Wazirabad road, disobeyed police orders, and attacked law enforcement officials.

The police claim that despite several warnings, the crowd turned violent, injuring multiple officers, including DCP Shahdara and ACP Gokulpuri. Head Constable Ratan Lal succumbed to his injuries, while others were seriously hurt.

Case Title: Mohd. Khalid v. State Govt. of NCT of Delhi