India, Jan. 11 -- Sharjeel Imam's lawyers on Saturday said that Imam had withdrawn from the anti-CAA protests in Delhi ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, fearing that the peaceful protest was turning violent.

Advocate Talib Mustafa, appearing for Imam, said the prosecution itself had claimed that the first two phases of the riots did not succeed because the protest began being seen as "communal" due to Imam.

Imam's statements come three days after his lawyer argued before additional sessions judge (ASJ) Sameer Bajpai of Karkardooma Courts, seeking a discharge in the Delhi riots larger conspiracy case.

Mustafa said the prosecution's charge sheet includes a statement of a co-accused who allegedly criticised Imam for turning the prote...