'Not crime but religion determines...': Mehbooba Mufti condemns Umar Khalid's arrest in Delhi riots case

Mehbooba Mufti said that Umar Khalid and Safoora Zargar have been imprisoned by Delhi Police but people like Kapil Mishra and Komal Sharma remain out.

Key Highlights

• Umar Khalid was arrested by Delhi Police in connection with northeast Delhi riots that broke out in February this year

• Former JNU student Khalid is already booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)

Srinagar: A day after former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid was arrested in connection with Delhi riots case, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday raked up a controversy saying "its religion and not crime that determines if a person is to be jailed".

The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said that Umar Khalid and Safoora Zargar have been imprisoned by Delhi Police but people like Kapil Mishra and Komal Sharma remain out.

Taking to her official Twitter handle, which is managed by her daughter Iltija Mufti, the PDP chief said, "Not crime but religion determines if one is to be jailed in India. No coincidence that Umar & Safoora are imprisoned but a Kapil & Komal are out & about."

Mehbooba Mufti's scathing attack has come a day after Umar Khalid was arrested by Delhi Police in connection with the riots that broke out in northeast Delhi earlier in February this year. He has been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Delhi Police arrest Umar Khalid

Before his arrest, Khalid was already booked under the UAPA, along with Jamia student and RJD youth wing president Meeran Haider, JCC media coordinator Safoora Zargar, and Danish, a resident of northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura.

The former JNU student was summoned on Saturday and Sunday, and arrested after 10 hours of questioning by Delhi Police. He is expected to be produced before a Delhi court today.

Before arresting Khalid, Delhi Police had issued a statement on Sunday in which it had asked those who have doubts and questions about the northeast Delhi riots probe to take legal course at the appropriate time.

The police said that various interest groups are using social media platforms and other online portals to raise questions about the fairness of investigation of the northeast Delhi riot cases.