Delhi Riots Case: Supreme Court Seeks Delhi Police’s Response on Bail Pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and Others

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has taken a significant step in the case concerning the alleged “larger conspiracy” behind the 2020 Delhi riots. On Monday, September 22, the court issued a notice to the Delhi Police, asking for their response to the bail applications filed by student leaders Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Meeraan Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, and Shifa-Ur-Rehman.

The bench, consisting of Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice NV Anjaria, has set the next hearing for October 7, stating its intention to make a final decision on the main petitions.

During the hearing, senior lawyers Kapil Sibal, AM Singhvi, and Siddharth Dave represented the student leaders. They argued that their clients have been in jail for nearly five years and urged the court to schedule an early hearing so they could have a chance of being released before Diwali.

This development comes after the Delhi High Court rejected their bail pleas on September 2. The student leaders then appealed that decision in the Supreme Court.

All the accused are booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code in FIR 59/2020. The Delhi Police’s Special Cell alleges they were part of a major conspiracy that led to the communal violence in the city in February 2020.

Earlier, the case was scheduled for a hearing on September 19 but was delayed. Justice Kumar explained that his fellow judge on the bench at the time, Justice Manmohan, had recused himself from the case. This was because Justice Manmohan had previously worked as an associate in senior advocate Kapil Sibal’s chamber.

The case involves several other prominent student and social activists. While some, like Asif Iqbal Tanha, Devangana Kalita, and Natasha Narwal, have been granted bail, Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and others mentioned above remain in custody.