Delhi riots: Ishrat Jahan seeks bail, says police has no evidence in conspiracy case

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police does not have “an iota of evidence” against her, claimed former Congress councillor Ishrat Jahan before a city court hearing her bail plea on Friday. 

She was arrested under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case.

“The intent was to falsely implicate me. The investigating agency (police) does not have an iota of evidence to show that I am connected to the conspiracy,” argued Ishrat’s counsel, advocate Pradeep Teotia, before Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat. 

Teotia challenged the prosecution to produce the evidence which qualifies Ishrat to be booked under UAPA.

He claimed that her case for bail was stronger than the other accused who have already been granted bail --- Jamia Millia Islamia student Asif Iqbal Tanha and JNU students Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita Rubbishing the prosecution’s charge that Ishrat helped in financing the protest and violence, her lawyer submitted details of her financial transactions.

“The transactions made by me are normal and routine... The evidence is piecemeal and not in totality. If shown properly, it will be known that I am not guilty,” he added. 

He also questioned the credibility of witnesses in the case. This is the first time Ishrat has sought regular bail in the case. 

In November 2020, the court had rejected her plea for interim bail considering the gravity of the offences.