SAFOORA ZARGAR

Out on Bail | Delhi

Safoora Zargar is an activist who was incarcerated for participating in anti-CAA protests, this, in spite of being 3 months pregnant at that time. Deeply misogynistic rumours and posts were spread on social media by right-wing trolls in a bid to defame her. In August 2022, Safoora alleged that the Jamia Millia Islamia University was cancelling her admission by not extending the time allotted to her for submitting her thesis. Alleging discrimination, she also claimed that the university administration had used derogatory words to turn her away and called her a ‘dangai’ (rioter). This comes after the UGC May 2022 guideline permitting universities and higher education institutions to give an extension of up to six months beyond 30 June for M.Phil or Ph.D. thesis submissions on a case-by-case basis after reviewing a student’s work.

Charges

Initially booked under Sections of UAPA, Arms Act, and plethora of IPC Sections. The Delhi High court has only charged her under Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147(rioting),149 (member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 186 (obstructing public servant from carrying out his duties), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 427 (mischief causing damage) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 3 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 (PDPP Act). Notably, the HC said that the accused will not be charged under other sections of law mentioned in the chargesheet since there is not enough material to implicate them under those sections of law.

Timeline

March 28, 2023

The Delhi High Court on March 28, 2023, partially set aside the trial court order discharging Safoora Zargar in a case related to the violence that took place at Jamia Millia Islamia in December 2019.

February 4 2023

Safoora Zargar was discharged in the crucial 2019 Jamia violence case (FIR No. 296 of 2019). Additional sessions judge, Saket Court, Arul Verma, while discharging these accused, has held that while the Delhi police were unable to apprehend the "actual criminals" they "definitely succeeded in using them (accused) as scapegoats". The additional sessions judge also admonished the prosecution for presenting "ill-conceived charge sheets," noting that the police had "arbitrarily selected" some protesters to charge sheet and others (to name) as police witnesses.

June 23, 2020

Granted bail on humanitarian grounds, but cannot leave Delhi without the High Court’s permission and must be in contact with the Investigation Officer every 15 days through the phone.

April 13, 2020

Granted bail in the Jaffarabad road-block case, but Behind Bars again, on the same day, under FIR 59.

April 10, 2020

3 months pregnant and Behind Bars on conspiracy charges related to the Delhi Riots.

February 10, 2020

Was rushed to a hospital after fainting during a scuffle between the Delhi Police and students protesting against CAA and NRC.

SAFOORA ZARGAR

Charges

Timeline

Spread the word: