The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the bail pleas of former JNU student leader Umar Khalid and JNU research scholar Sharjeel Imam in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case, directing that both accused will continue to remain in judicial custody.
A bench of the apex court refused to interfere with the earlier orders passed by the Delhi High Court, which had denied bail to the two activists under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court observed that, at this stage, there were no sufficient grounds to grant bail in such serious charges related to alleged conspiracy and violence.
Umar Khalid has been in jail since September 2020, accused of being part of a larger conspiracy behind the communal violence that broke out in northeast Delhi in February 2020, which left over 50 people dead and hundreds injured. Sharjeel Imam, arrested in January 2020, is facing multiple cases, including charges of sedition and alleged provocative speeches.
The prosecution has consistently argued that the accused played a key role in orchestrating protests and mobilising people, which allegedly escalated into large-scale violence. The defence, however, has maintained that the charges are politically motivated and based on selective evidence, asserting that both Khalid and Imam were exercising their constitutional right to free speech and dissent.
The Supreme Court’s decision is seen as a significant setback for the accused, as the trial in the Delhi riots-related cases is expected to take considerable time. Legal experts note that bail under UAPA remains particularly difficult due to the law’s strict provisions, which place a high threshold on granting relief to the accused.
With this ruling, Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam will continue to remain in jail as the legal proceedings in the 2020 Delhi riots case move forward.
