Shadab Ahmed, an accused in a UAPA case linked to February 2020 riots in Delhi, told the Supreme Court on Thursday that organising and participating in protests was not a criminal offence.

Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Ahmed, also refuted prosecution's claim of delay on Ahmed's part before a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria.

"He is 27 years old and working as supervisor at NDS Enterprises Jagatpuri since 2016. Arguments on charge are going on but for me the arguments are over and no delay on my part.

"The protected witnesses deposed that they had heard him discuss the conspiracy at a biryani stall. A witness had deposed that Ahmed had organised the protests and attended them. Organising and participating in protests was not a criminal offence," Luthra sa

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