In a significant ruling on Monday, the Supreme Court of India delivered a split verdict in the high-profile Delhi riots conspiracy case. The apex court denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, while simultaneously granting relief to five other co-accused individuals.
Split Verdict Highlights Differing Roles
The bench, while pronouncing its order, made a crucial observation regarding the positions of the two primary accused. It stated that Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam stand on a "different footing" compared to the other applicants. This distinction formed the core of the court's reasoning for denying them bail, suggesting the evidence against them warranted continued custody during the trial.
In contrast, the court extended the benefit of bail to activists Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmad. Their release marks a pivotal development in the long-running legal proceedings stemming from the 2020 northeast Delhi violence.
Details of the Bail Grants and Denials
The order, dated 05 January 2026, underscores the judiciary's case-by-case analysis of the evidence presented. For Khalid and Imam, the court found the allegations concerning their involvement to be of a serious nature, meriting denial of bail at this stage. The specific contours of what constitutes their "different footing" were elucidated in the courtroom, focusing on the nature of the accusations and their alleged roles in the events.
For the five who were granted bail, the court imposed necessary conditions to ensure their compliance with the judicial process. This decision brings a measure of relief to these individuals after an extended period of incarceration as undertrials.
Wider Implications of the Ruling
This Supreme Court verdict is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the ongoing trial in the Delhi riots conspiracy case. It clarifies the legal thresholds for bail in such complex cases involving allegations of larger conspiracies. The ruling also reaffirms the principle that bail decisions are based on individual circumstances and the specific evidence linked to each accused.
The Delhi riots case, which investigates the orchestration of the communal violence that erupted in February 2020, remains one of the most closely watched legal battles in recent times. This latest order from the highest court adds a new layer to its protracted narrative, setting the stage for the next phases of the trial.
