Devangana Kalita, a Pinjra Tod activist, was arrested on May 23, 2020, in connection with the anti-CAA protests and Delhi riots of December 2019 and February 2020. She faced four FIRs alleging she instigated violence and conspired to incite riots.
FIR No. 250/19 (Daryaganj violence, Dec 2019): She was granted bail as police failed to provide concrete evidence linking her to the violence.
FIR No. 59/20 (Conspiracy charges): The Karkardooma court denied bail, accepting prima facie evidence of her involvement in a “pre-planned, deep-rooted conspiracy” alongside Umar Khalid, Safoora Zargar, and others.
FIR No. 50/20 (Hate speech allegations): Delhi HC granted bail (Sept 1, 2020), noting no proof of hate speech or instigation—only peaceful protest participation. However, she remained jailed due to FIR No. 59/20.
Despite bail in three FIRs, Kalita remains imprisoned under FIR No. 59/20, highlighting tensions between protest rights and state allegations of conspiracy. The cases reflect legal scrutiny of activist roles in the anti-CAA movement.
