The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted a three-day interim bail to former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid in connection with a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The bail has been granted to enable Khalid to attend his sister's wedding, scheduled for later this month.
Details of the Order
A division bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Rajnish Bhatnagar passed the order, allowing Khalid to remain out of custody from February 9 to February 11. The court imposed certain conditions, including that Khalid must not tamper with evidence or influence witnesses during this period. He is also required to provide his mobile number and address to the investigating officer and shall not leave the National Capital Region (NCR) without prior permission.
Background of the Case
Umar Khalid was arrested in September 2020 in connection with a larger conspiracy related to the Delhi riots that erupted in February 2020. The riots, which occurred during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), resulted in over 50 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Khalid has been in custody since his arrest and has been denied bail multiple times by lower courts. The Supreme Court had earlier refused to entertain his bail plea, asking him to approach the High Court.
Legal Arguments
Senior advocate Trideep Pais, representing Khalid, argued that the interim bail was necessary for Khalid to attend his sister's wedding, which is a significant family event. He assured the court that Khalid would cooperate with the investigation and would not misuse the liberty. The prosecution, however, opposed the bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the possibility of Khalid influencing witnesses or absconding. The court, after hearing both sides, decided to grant the relief, noting that the wedding is a family occasion and that Khalid has been in custody for a considerable period.
Reactions
Khalid's family expressed relief over the court's decision, stating that they look forward to having him at the wedding. His legal team termed the order as a step towards justice, while also hoping for a favorable outcome in the main bail application. The Delhi police have been directed to ensure compliance with the conditions imposed by the court.
Next Hearing
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on February 12, when the court is likely to consider Khalid's regular bail plea. Meanwhile, the interim bail order has sparked discussions on social media, with supporters hailing it as a humanitarian gesture and critics questioning the timing.
