Last Updated:
Umar Khalid Bail Plea: Umar Khalid got a shock from the Supreme Court today in the UAPA case related to Delhi riots. Khalid had sought an immediate hearing on the bail plea, but the judge said, “There is no time” and postponed the case till December 2. Khalid has been trying to get bail for a long time.
What is Delhi riot case?
This case is of a bigger conspiracy related to the communal riots that took place in North-East Delhi in February 2020. The Special Cell of Delhi Police had registered an FIR under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), alleging a deep conspiracy behind these riots. Police allege that Khalid and other accused had conspired to instigate these riots under the guise of protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Umar Khalid was arrested by Delhi Police in September 2020 and since then he is in judicial custody. He is accused of giving inflammatory speeches, planning protests and conspiring with other co-accused to carry out the riots.
Umar Khalid has been in jail for more than five years. During this period, he approached the lower courts to the Delhi High Court several times for bail. Lower court: His bail plea was rejected by the lower court in October 2021, saying that prima facie the allegations against him were found to be true. Delhi High Court: His petition challenging the lower court’s decision was also rejected by the Delhi High Court in October 2022. The High Court had said in its order that Khalid’s actions fall under the category of terrorist activity. After not getting relief from the High Court, Khalid approached the Supreme Court.
