A Delhi court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of student-activist Umar Khalid, who had sought temporary release to care for his ailing mother. Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai dismissed the plea, stating that the reasons cited by Khalid for interim bail were not "reasonable," as reported by ANI.
Details of the Bail Plea
Khalid had requested 15 days of interim bail to attend his uncle's Chehlum, a 40-day post-death ritual, and to look after his mother, who is scheduled to undergo surgery. However, the court found these grounds insufficient for granting temporary release.
Supreme Court's Previous Observations
This ruling comes a day after the Supreme Court expressed "serious reservations" regarding the denial of bail to Khalid and co-accused Sharjeel Imam. The apex court noted that the lower court's verdict did not follow a larger bench judgment, which is considered the "law of the land." According to that judgment, bail should be granted in cases involving long incarceration and delays in trial, even under strict laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Background of the Case
Umar Khalid, along with several others, has been charged under the UAPA and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for allegedly orchestrating the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots. The violence resulted in 53 deaths and left over 700 injured. The riots erupted during large-scale protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Legal Proceedings
The case has seen prolonged legal battles, with Khalid and other activists remaining in custody for an extended period. The Supreme Court's recent remarks have raised questions about the application of bail provisions in cases involving stringent anti-terror laws. However, the Delhi court's latest decision has denied relief to Khalid, maintaining the status quo.
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