Jamia Millia Islamia Protests: Not students, say two of the arrested

New Delhi: A Delhi court sent 10 people, arrested in connection with protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) near Jamia Millia Islamia University here, to judicial custody till December 31.

Police had arrested them on Monday for alleged involvement in violence near JMI University here and said that none of them were students.

During the hearing, Delhi Police told the court that some locals, instigated by politicians, participated in the violent protests at JMI.

“Several citizens and police officers were injured in the violent protest,” the investigating officer said.

The police said the case has been registered against them under provisions of the Indian Penal Code for unlawful assembly, rioting with deadly weapon, obstructing public servant, voluntarily causing hurt, attempt to commit culpable homicide and entering into criminal conspiracy with common intention and for using explosive substance.

It said they have also been booked under sections of the Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, PTI reported.

Metropolitan magistrate Kamran Khan earlier sent the 10 arrested people — Mohammad Hanif, Danish alias Jafar, Sameer Ahmed, Dilshad, Shareef Ahmed, Mohd Danish, Yunus Khan, Jumman, Anal Hassan, Anwar Kala -— to judicial custody.

Counsel for the accused said they have been falsely implicated and made a target by Delhi Police to show something.

Counsel appearing for Sameer, one of the accused, said that he is a bike mechanic and was arrested from his house.

“Some police officers came, signalled to Sameer to come to them and took him away to the police station. The camera footage from outside of his house can corroborate this fact,” the lawyer said.

Counsel for another accused, Hanif, said the accused have been previously arrested for petty crimes and because of that they have been made a target this time.

“Locals have been nabbed as something should be done. My client has been made a target. He is a citizen of this country and his rights should be protected. They have been previously arrested for petty crimes. One can clearly see the connection here. They have been arrested to show something,” the lawyer told the court.

When the judge asked the investigating officer on what evidence they have been arrested, he said, “There are statements of police officers who were involved in identifying the people who had caused violence.”  There were also disclosure statements of the accused.

The accused, however, denied that their statements were recorded. The FIR also named seven other persons, including local politicians and student leaders, according to a PTI report.