Delhi High Court Seeks Response from Police on Umar Khalid's Bail Plea

The Delhi High Court has called for a response from the police regarding Umar Khalid's bail application related to the 2020 riots. This marks Khalid's third attempt for bail since his arrest, with a hearing set for August 27. The case has drawn significant attention due to the serious charges against Khalid, who is accused of being a key conspirator in the riots that resulted in numerous casualties. The court's decision will also consider the bail plea of co-accused Sharjeel Imam. The outcome of this hearing could have substantial implications for the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the riots.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 31, 2026, 13:05 IST

Court Proceedings on Umar Khalid's Bail Application

The Delhi High Court has requested a response from the Delhi Police regarding the bail application of Umar Khalid, who is implicated in the riots that occurred in North-East Delhi in 2020. A bench comprising Justice Pratibha M. Singh and Justice Vikas Mahajan issued a notice, instructing the police to submit their reply within two weeks.

Khalid's attorney mentioned that this is the third bail application since his arrest, and he has also sought interim bail. The bench has scheduled a hearing for Khalid's plea on August 27, coinciding with the hearing of co-accused Sharjeel Imam's bail application.

Khalid is contesting a lower court's decision from July 4, which denied his bail request. Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the Delhi Police, noted that the lower court had also rejected Imam's bail plea in the same order, suggesting that both cases could be heard together.

Arrested in September 2020, Khalid faces charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, accused of being one of the main conspirators behind the February 2020 riots, which resulted in the deaths of 53 individuals and injuries to over 700 others. The violence erupted during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, and the National Register of Citizens.

The Delhi Police's Special Cell is investigating the alleged larger conspiracy involving several individuals, including Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, and former Aam Aadmi Party councillor Tahir Hussain.

On July 4, the lower court stated that it had no option but to comply with the Supreme Court's order from January 5, thus unable to consider Khalid's plea or grant relief. A division bench of the High Court had previously denied Khalid bail on September 2, 2025, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court, although bail was granted to co-accused Gulfiya Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rahman, Mohammad Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed.

Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice N.V. Anjaria remarked that a prima facie case exists against Khalid and Imam under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, emphasizing that the varying roles of the accused in the case necessitate different treatment.