Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad, while opposing the bail plea of Khalid, had argued that the riots in the national Capital were “clearly a criminal conspiracy” aimed at bringing the government “to its knees”. He had claimed that the riots were planned secretly, and were not just a “spontaneous burst of violence”.

However, Khalid’s counsel had told the court that the prosecution lacked evidence to prove its case and said it was based on video clips run by television channels. The counsel had said that allegations against Khalid were the product of the “fertile imagination” of the investigation officer in the case.

Denying Khalid bail, Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat had said that allegations him in the chargesheet appeared to be prima facie true.