The Supreme Court (SC) of India today, refused to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. The SC said there is enough evidence to show their possible role in planning and guiding the riots.
The bench, made up of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice NV Anjaria, said the laws under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) are strict, and being in custody for a long time does not automatically mean bail should be granted. The court also noted that Khalid and Imam had a bigger role compared to the other accused.
At the same time, the SC granted conditional bail to five co-accused: Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohammad Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed. They must follow rules while out on bail, or it can be canceled. The court clarified that giving bail to these five does not weaken the allegations against all; it reflects differences in their role.
Umar Khalid, who has been in jail for more than five years without his trial starting, told his partner Banojyotsna Lahiri that “this is my life now” after the decision. He said he was relieved his co-accused got bail.
The SC said Khalid and Imam can apply for bail again after one year or after certain witnesses are examined.
The 2020 Delhi riots occurred in northeast Delhi during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), leading to deaths, injuries, and damage to property.
The SC’s decision shows that each accused is treated based on their role and evidence. Khalid and Imam stay in custody, while the others are temporarily released under strict conditions.
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