Pistol waving Delhi Riots 2020 accused Shahrukh Pathan gets support appeal: Who is rallying behind his family?
In December 2021, a Delhi court framed charges against Pathan including rioting with a deadly weapon, obstructing a public servant, assault and attempt to murder, along with offences under the Arms Act. Pathan pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
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A fresh appeal for financial and household support for Shahrukh Pathan, an accused in the 2020 North-East Delhi riots case, has raised questions over the support network surrounding individuals facing serious criminal charges.
Delhi lawyer Saif Alam appealed on September 22 for people to come forward with essential items and financial assistance for Pathan's family. According to the appeal, the family has been facing financial difficulties after Pathan's prolonged imprisonment, including an electricity disconnection over unpaid bills.
(Accused Shahrukh Pathan, Image Source: X)
The appeal described Pathan as the family's main breadwinner and sought help from people in Delhi.
"Painful reality: Sharukh Pathan's family has lost their breadwinner to jail, and now their electricity's been cut off — they simply can't afford the bill. His mother calls me and I struggle to find words. Reached out to donors, but no one's stepped up yet. Request to Zimmedaars… pic.twitter.com/eRxLyZbku6
— FOEJ Media (@FoejMedia) September 22, 2026
The question, however, is not simply about an electricity bill. It is also about the ecosystem of support that develops around accused persons in cases involving such allegations. When a person facing charges of attempt to murder and rioting receives organised public advocacy and appeals for financial assistance, the nature and extent of that support deserve public scrutiny.
What Pathan is accused of?
Pathan was arrested on March 3, 2020, after the February 24 violence in the Jafrabad-Maujpur area.
According to the Delhi High Court's record, Head Constable Deepak Dahiya told police that Pathan approached him with a pistol, fired several rounds and then pointed the weapon at his head. Dahiya said he moved his head and escaped being hit.
The Delhi High Court also recorded that video footage and photographs showed Pathan holding a pistol and moving towards the police officer. The court rejected his bail plea at that stage, while noting that questions about his intention would ultimately be tested during trial.
Muslims are raising funds for this terrorist Shahrukh 'Pathan' who was killing Hindus in Delhi violence. Shahrukh is a 2nd gen convert (born to a Sikh father who converted to Islam to marry Pathan's mother) and hero of Muslims at par with terrorists Umar Khalid & Sharjeel Imam. https://t.co/Grrw4KXeSA pic.twitter.com/4JJ7F5W6HU
— Pakistan Untold (@pakistan_untold) September 22, 2026
In December 2021, a Delhi court framed charges against Pathan including rioting with a deadly weapon, obstructing a public servant, assault and attempt to murder, along with offences under the Arms Act. Pathan pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
He remains an accused and undertrial, not a person convicted of these offences.
The larger question over the support network
The latest appeal puts the spotlight on a broader question: how far should community and political networks go in supporting people accused in violent cases?
Support for an accused person's family is not itself evidence of wrongdoing. But repeated public interventions, fundraising appeals and attempts to build a sympathetic public image can become part of the wider ecosystem surrounding high-profile riot cases.
That distinction matters.
Pathan's legal guilt will ultimately be determined by the court. But the documented allegations against him are serious: the Delhi courts have already found sufficient grounds at the charge stage to proceed with allegations including attempt to murder and armed rioting.