2020 Delhi riots: Court denies bail to accused Shahrukh Pathan who pointed gun at policeman

A Delhi court on Thursday rejected the regular bail application of Sharukh Pathan , the man widely seen in a viral photograph pointing a gun at a police constable during the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots . Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai dismissed Pathan’s plea, which was filed on the ground of custody already undergone, and noted the serious nature of the allegations and ongoing prosecution evidence in the matter. A detailed order is awaited.

Pathan, who remains lodged in Tihar Jail , is accused in two riot‑related cases . The primary charge stems from an incident near the Jaffrabad‑Maujpur area on February 24, 2020, where he was photographed brandishing a pistol and allegedly discharging it in the presence of police personnel , including Head Constable Deepak Dahiya. Prosecutors say the image and video footage have been central to the identification and charges against him.

In addition to the firearm allegation, Pathan faces charges in a separate case that includes attempt to murder , rioting, obstructing a public servant, unlawful assembly, and other offences under the Arms Act and the Indian Penal Code. The prosecution contends that he was part of a violent mob and that his conduct was not limited to passive participation.

The 2020 northeast Delhi riots erupted on February 24, 2020, after clashes between supporters and opponents of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) spiralled into widespread communal violence across several localities in the national capital. The unrest left at least 53 people dead and hundreds injured , and saw incidents of gunfire, arson, stone‑pelting and other forms of violence that shook the city.

Earlier in the legal process, Pathan had sought bail on humanitarian grounds, including to care for his ailing father, but higher courts including the Delhi High Court had upheld decisions refusing relief, emphasizing the gravity of the charges and available evidence.

The case remains under active judicial consideration, with trial proceedings continuing and prosecution evidence being presented before the court.