Disappointed by the fact that the court is yet to hear arguments on the allegation in the UAPA case of northeast Delhi riots, accused Salim Khan told the judge that he was depressed and thought nothing but death.
Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat was hearing several applications filed by accused persons in the case when Khan sought permission to speak. “I am innocent. My family is upset. My lawyer said that I will be discharged and there is no hearing. I want to say a lot. I am really sad. My life will be ruined,” he told the court. .
Khan said that her children’s education is at stake and their mental health has been affected by their continuous incarceration. He said he learned of the sections under which he was charged months after he was sent to prison: “I’m not financially strong enough to get a high-profile lawyer. It’s been 20 months; I have to secure admission for my two daughters. My son has dropped out. I can’t see anything except death. I have gone into a very deep depression. Please do something so that we can come out and join the test… I don’t even feel like eating. I’m alive because my kids are out.”
ASJ Rawat asked Khan to “think positive” and asked his lawyer to file a discharge application.
During the hearing, Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad had apprised the court that the lawyers of Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal – accused in the case – had sought nine documents in an application filed under Section 207 of CrPC, and they had two sets of documents. There is no issue to do. The court said that many fresh applications were filed and it would take years to come to a conclusion.
As per section 207, a copy of the police report and other documents must be supplied to an accused.
Advocate Rizwan, appearing for another accused in the case, former AAP councilor Tahir Hussain, told the court: “Filing a reply will be difficult and will take many years. Let us cover up all the shortcomings and pass a common order and general direction.”
The court asked the prosecutor to supply lesser documents and file a reply only for those to which he had objections.
Refuting Rizwan’s arguments, Prasad said, “When did you file your 207 application? General statement made and single brush painting done.”
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