Supreme Court Denies Bail to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam in Delhi Riots Case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots case. The bench cited that their alleged role in the conspiracy behind the riot, emphasising that considerations of national security and public order outweigh claims of prolonged incarceration by the accused.

The apex court stated that Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam can approach the court again for bail either after one year or after the completion of examination of protected witnesses, whichever is earlier.

Meanwhile, the court has granted bail to the remaining five accused, Gulfisha fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur--Rehman, Mohammad Shakeel Khan, and Shadab ahmed in the case.

While delivering the verdict, the top court reiterated that Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam stand on qualitatively different footing compared to the other accused in the UAPA case. The bench indicated that their alleged roles in the conspiracy are more central, and this distinction is a key factor in determining the bail.

Umar Khalid was arrested by the Delhi Police in September 2020, following the riots in the north-east Delhi. He was charged under sections related to criminal conspiracy, riots, unlawful assembly, and UAPA. Multiple FIRs under sedition and UAPA have been registered against him in various states.

Umar Khalid has been in jail for five years without trial, accused of conspiring to incite the riots.

Recently, several American lawmakers, including New York mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed their concern over Umar Khalid's prolonged detention.