Delhi HC Denies Bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in 2020 Riots Case
Court says it is bound by Supreme Court directions that allow fresh bail pleas after examination of protected witnesses or one year from January 2026 order
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday, September 30, rejected the fresh bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the case concerning the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
A division bench comprising Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Dinesh Bhatt said it could not modify the conditions laid down by the Supreme Court in its January 5, 2026 judgment concerning the bail pleas of the accused in the case.
The Supreme Court had granted bail to five other accused in January but denied relief to Khalid and Imam. It had said that the two could renew their bail pleas after the examination of protected witnesses or after one year from the date of its order, whichever came earlier.
The High Court observed that it was bound by judicial discipline and therefore could not alter the conditions imposed by the Supreme Court. The court consequently dismissed the appeals against the trial court’s July 4 decision rejecting their bail applications.
This was the third time the High Court rejected a bail plea by Umar Khalid. Sharjeel Imam had also sought bail in the same case. Their latest petitions were filed after the trial court rejected their applications in July.
The accused had relied on developments since the Supreme Court’s January ruling, including bail granted to some co accused on grounds relating to the delay in the trial. They also pointed to subsequent proceedings in which another Supreme Court bench raised questions about aspects of the January judgment.
In May, a Delhi High Court bench had referred questions concerning the application of Supreme Court precedents on prolonged incarceration and bail under the UAPA to a larger bench. The issue arose amid differing judicial views on how prolonged trial delays should be considered in such cases.
Delhi Police opposed the fresh bail pleas, describing Khalid and Imam as alleged “masterminds” of the conspiracy and arguing that the January Supreme Court judgment continued to apply to them.
The case relates to FIR No. 59 of 2020 registered by the Delhi Police Special Cell concerning the alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 Northeast Delhi violence. Khalid and Imam face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other provisions.
The February 2020 violence in Northeast Delhi resulted in 53 deaths and more than 700 injuries, according to official figures cited in reporting on the case.
The latest ruling does not determine the guilt or innocence of Khalid or Imam. The case against them remains pending before the trial court.
Separately, Sharjeel Imam was granted interim bail by a Delhi court from October 4 to October 10 to attend his cousin’s wedding. That temporary relief is separate from his regular bail plea before the High Court.