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

Supreme Court's Decision on Delhi Riots Case

New Delhi, Jan 5: On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to grant bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who are implicated in the conspiracy surrounding the February 2020 Delhi riots. In contrast, the court approved bail for five other defendants, highlighting the differences in their levels of involvement.

The bench, consisting of Justices Aravind Kumar and N. V. Anjaria, noted that not all accused were in the same position, indicating that Khalid and Imam were on a distinctly different tier compared to those who were granted bail.

The court's ruling allowed bail for activists Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmad.

Following the verdict, Khalid expressed relief for his co-accused to his partner, Banojyotsna Lahiri. Their conversation shared on social media revealed Khalid's happiness for others despite his own situation, stating, 'I am really happy for the others, who got bail! So relieved.'

Khalid's father, S.Q.R. Ilyas, described the ruling as 'unfortunate' but refrained from further comments, stating, 'The judgment is there. I have nothing to say.'

Arshad Imam, Sharjeel's uncle, expressed his shock at the bail denial but acknowledged the court's authority, saying, 'I had high hopes this time, as the arguments indicated Sharjeel’s innocence. Still, as an Indian, I respect the court’s decision.'

The bench's order indicated that the prosecution had established a 'central and formative role' for Khalid and Imam, involving planning and mobilization that extended beyond isolated incidents.

However, the court permitted both Khalid and Imam to submit new bail applications after the examination of protected witnesses or after a year.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta welcomed the court's decision, asserting that those responsible for instigating violence in the city should face severe consequences. She stated, 'The court has rejected the bail applications of Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid. Those who pushed Delhi into the fire of riots should receive the strictest possible punishment.'

All accused are charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code concerning the February 2020 riots in northeast Delhi, which resulted in 53 fatalities and over 700 injuries.

Imam was initially arrested on January 28, 2020, for speeches made during anti-CAA protests and was subsequently detained in the larger conspiracy case in August of that year. Khalid was taken into custody on September 13, 2020.