A Delhi court on Tuesday rejected the interim bail plea of Umar Khalid in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. Khalid, a former JNU student, had sought temporary release to care for his mother, who is scheduled to undergo surgery, and to attend his uncle's Chehlum ceremony.
Court's Decision
Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat dismissed the plea, stating that the grounds cited did not warrant interim relief. The court observed that the mother's surgery was not an emergency and that the Chehlum could be attended by other family members.
Supreme Court's Concerns
This development comes a day after the Supreme Court expressed concerns over prolonged incarceration in cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The apex court had remarked that long detentions without trial could infringe upon fundamental rights.
Khalid has been in custody since September 2020 and is one of the key accused in the larger conspiracy case related to the February 2020 Delhi riots. His earlier bail pleas have been rejected by both the trial court and the Delhi High Court.
The case is being investigated by the Delhi Police's Special Cell under the UAPA and Indian Penal Code provisions. The next hearing is scheduled for June 2026.
