The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the stand of the city police regarding the bail plea of activist Umar Khalid, who faces charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) related to the alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots in north-east Delhi.
In response to Khalid’s application, a bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan issued a notice and directed the Delhi Police to file its response within two weeks. This development marks a significant moment in the ongoing legal battles stemming from the riots.
During the hearing, Khalid’s counsel highlighted that this represents Khalid’s third bail application since his arrest in September 2020. Alongside this plea, he also seeks interim bail in the case, indicating the urgency and seriousness of his situation.
The bench has scheduled a hearing for Khalid’s bail plea on August 27, coinciding with the bail plea of co-accused Sharjeel Imam, creating a joint spotlight on both cases.
Khalid challenges a trial court decision from July 4, which dismissed his previous bail application. The Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the Delhi Police, informed the court that Imam’s bail plea also faced rejection under the same trial court order, suggesting that both cases should be evaluated together.
Umar Khalid has been booked under UAPA for his alleged role in the February 2020 riots that resulted in the deaths of 53 individuals and left over 700 others injured. The violence erupted amidst protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019, and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), catalyzing widespread unrest.
Several prominent activists, including Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, and the former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, share similar allegations regarding their participation in the purported conspiracy. The investigation, spearheaded by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell, highlights the severity and implications of the case.
The trial court’s July 4 ruling stated it had “no option but to follow” the Supreme Court’s directive from January 5, which complicates Khalid’s prospects for bail. Earlier on September 2, 2025, the high court’s division bench had similarly denied Khalid bail, citing the established prima facie case against him and Imam under UAPA, and stressing the difference in the level of involvement among the accused.
In January, the Supreme Court had upheld this verdict while granting bail to other co-accused individuals, including Gulfisha Fatima and Meeran Haider. The rationale provided by Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria underscored a critical examination of the “hierarchy of participation” among the accused, which may play a pivotal role in the court’s future decisions.
The looming questions surrounding the Delhi riots and the caste of those involved in the alleged conspiracy continue to stir public debate and legal scrutiny, making the upcoming court hearings crucial for all parties involved.
