The Democratic Front against Operation Green Hunt Punjab has issued a strong condemnation of a recent court order denying bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the high-profile Delhi riots case. The front's leaders have labeled the judicial decision a severe miscarriage of justice.
Front Leaders Decry Judicial Overreach
In a statement released on Tuesday, the conveners of the Front — Prof Parminder Singh, Prof AK Maleri, Boota Singh Mehmoodpur, and Yashpal — voiced their collective outrage. They sharply criticized the court for rejecting the bail petitions of Khalid and Imam, who have been incarcerated for over five years without a trial.
The leaders took particular issue with the court imposing a one-year bar on fresh bail applications. This moratorium is to remain until the Delhi Police completes examining all its witnesses. The Front argues that this effectively sanctions indefinite detention without conviction.
Calling Out a 'Prejudiced Approach' and UAPA Misuse
The statement from Bathinda accused the judiciary of adopting an openly prejudiced stance. It highlighted the court's use of terms like "main accused" for Khalid and Imam despite their guilt not being established through a completed trial. The Front contends that treating the police narrative as prima facie evidence, especially when the investigation is incomplete, undermines judicial independence.
A core allegation is the weaponization of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Front stated that using unproven allegations to invoke this stringent law and justify prolonged incarceration is vindictive. They assert that the objective is clear: to criminalize democratic resistance and silence critical voices by keeping them imprisoned for years without the possibility of bail.
Defending Democratic Protest, Criticizing Supreme Court
The leaders emphasized that dissent against government policies through established means like pamphleteering, public demonstrations, or road blockades is a fundamental democratic right. Branding such legitimate expressions as threats to national economic security or terrorist conspiracies is a political act, they argued, carried out by the police at the behest of the ruling establishment.
Expressing deep concern, the Front pointed out that the denial of bail on the grounds that the accused are "ideological drivers" and not ordinary offenders runs counter to settled legal principles. They also noted it is particularly alarming that the Supreme Court has effectively legitimized this police-driven narrative.
The Democratic Front has demanded the immediate revocation of this bail denial order, calling for the release of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam and upholding the right to a fair and speedy trial.
