Delhi Riots 2020: Delhi HC Denies Bail to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam in UAPA Case
The high court cited an earlier Supreme Court order while dismissing the activists' third bail applications in the case linked to the February 2020 north-east Delhi violence.
NEW DELHI, Sept 30: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined to grant bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case concerning the alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 north-east Delhi riots.
A bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Dinesh Bhatt dismissed the third bail applications filed by Khalid and Imam in connection with the case.
The court noted that the Supreme Court’s January 5 order had directed the two accused to approach the courts for bail either after the protected witnesses had completed their testimony or after one year from the date of that order, whichever occurred earlier.
The high court said it could not alter or override the conditions laid down by the apex court.
Khalid and Imam are facing charges under the UAPA in connection with allegations that they were involved in a broader conspiracy linked to the violence that broke out in north-east Delhi in February 2020. The riots resulted in 53 deaths and left more than 700 people injured.
The clashes occurred amid protests and counter-protests linked to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, and the proposed National Register of Citizens.
The case is being investigated by the Delhi Police Special Cell and includes several other accused. Activist Khalid Saifi and former Aam Aadmi Party councillor Tahir Hussain are among those facing allegations in the larger conspiracy case.
Khalid and Imam had approached the Delhi High Court after their bail requests were rejected by the trial court for the third time on July 4.
Imam was arrested on August 25, 2020, while Khalid was taken into custody on September 13 of the same year. Both have remained in custody while the proceedings in the case continue.
The prosecution has alleged that the two activists played a central role in planning the violence. The Delhi Police opposed their bail applications before the high court and described them as alleged masterminds of the riots.
The court’s latest decision leaves the accused without bail at this stage, while the proceedings in the larger conspiracy case continue.
