When Will Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and Others Get Bail? Supreme Court Hears Police Arguments
Delhi Police tells Supreme Court the 2020 riots were part of a “government change conspiracy,” opposing bail under UAPA.
The Supreme Court on Friday heard arguments in the bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and several others arrested under the UAPA in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. During the hearing, the Delhi Police strongly opposed granting bail, claiming the incidents were part of a larger plot aimed at “changing the government,” and not simply protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Appearing before the bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice N.V. Anjaria, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju said the investigation points to a coordinated conspiracy involving multiple accused. He argued that if the accused cooperate, the trial could be completed within two years.
Raju told the court that the protests were not “ordinary sit-ins,” but activities aimed at destabilising the government “similar to attempts seen in Bangladesh and Nepal.” He alleged that several accused—including Tahir Hussain, Shafa-ur-Rahman, Meeran Haider, Ishrat Jahan and Khalid Saifi—played roles in funding or organising the alleged violence.
Citing witness statements, the ASG said the conspiracy involved planning violence, organising chakka jams, and mobilising groups armed with sticks who later joined stone-pelting. He argued that these actions justified charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, including conspiracy for violent offences.
He further claimed that many participants arrived with sticks and acid bottles and that widespread vandalism occurred when CCTV cameras were damaged. According to police, the riots resulted in the death of a police constable, injuries to several officers, and the killing of an Intelligence Bureau official.
The bench will continue hearing the matter on 24 November. The appeals challenge a 2 September Delhi High Court order that denied bail to the accused. Khalid, Imam and others are charged under the UAPA along with additional sections of the IPC. The Delhi Police maintains that the protests were not simple demonstrations but part of a broader plan to overthrow the government.
