A Delhi court has rejected the bail applications filed by student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in connection with the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots. The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of the Karkardooma Courts.
The bail pleas were opposed by the Delhi Police, which argued that there had been no significant change in circumstances since the previous bail hearings. According to the prosecution, Khalid and Imam allegedly played a senior and distinct role in the alleged conspiracy, setting them apart from other co-accused in the case.
The prosecution's submissions were made by Special Public Prosecutor Madhukar Pandey, who urged the court to reject the applications. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its order before ultimately dismissing the pleas.
In their bail applications, Khalid and Imam contended that there had been a change in legal circumstances following a May 18 Supreme Court judgment that granted bail to Syed Iftikhar Andrabi in a separate case investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). They argued that the ruling reaffirmed the principle that prolonged incarceration and delays in trial could justify bail, even in cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The Supreme Court, in that judgment, had expressed reservations about an earlier interpretation of the law and reiterated the principles laid down in the Union of India vs. K.A. Najeeb (2021) case. The larger bench had held that prolonged pre-trial detention and delays in the judicial process could outweigh the stringent bail restrictions under Section 43D(5) of the UAPA in appropriate cases.
Despite these arguments, the Delhi court declined to grant bail to Khalid and Imam. The order means both will remain in judicial custody as proceedings in the larger conspiracy case continue. The allegations against them are yet to be adjudicated, and the trial remains pending.
Sources: Hindustan Times
