The Supreme Court of India has delivered a split verdict in the high-profile 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, granting bail to five accused while denying relief to student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. The court observed that the cases of Khalid and Imam stood on a "qualitatively different footing," a decision that has left their families devastated after years of incarceration without trial.
Families Decry "Deep Sense of Injustice"
Reacting to the verdict on Monday, the families of both Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam expressed profound disappointment and a feeling of injustice. Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, Khalid's father, stated that the decision came as another blow following nearly five years of imprisonment without a trial for his son.
"This is a very unfortunate decision. There is no evidence that shows that my son has made any anti-national speech or committed any anti-national act. In fact, when the riots happened, my son was not even in Delhi," Ilyas told the press. He described the emotional toll on the family, noting that they would now have to wait another year before they could appeal for bail again, prolonging the legal ordeal.
Echoing similar sentiments, Muzammil Imam, Sharjeel Imam's brother, questioned the court's logic. "Of the seven accused, only two have been denied bail on conspiracy charges. How is it possible to say that only these two are conspirators?" he asked. He highlighted that his brother has already spent six years in custody without facing trial.
Contrasting Fate for Five Co-Accused
In a contrasting outcome, the Supreme Court granted bail to five other accused in the same case. They are:
- Gulfisha Fatima
- Meeran Haider
- Shifa-ur-Rehman
- Mohd Saleem Khan
- Shadab Ahmed
The court ruled that these individuals were entitled to bail, subject to stringent conditions, considering the limited and ancillary nature of the allegations against them compared to Khalid and Imam.
Despite their own grief, the families of Khalid and Imam expressed relief for the others. "We are relieved that the five others have been granted bail. At least some families will get their children back," they said.
Reactions and the Long Legal Battle
Umar Khalid's partner, Banojyotsna Lahiri, shared a message from him on social media platform X. According to her post, Khalid said he was "really happy for the others, who got bail! So relieved." He added, "Ab yahi zindagi hai (Now my life is here)," resigning to his continued incarceration.
The legal proceedings in the 2020 Delhi riots case have been long-drawn, with the accused facing charges under stringent laws including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The latest bail order underscores the court's differentiated view of the roles allegedly played by the various accused in the conspiracy linked to the communal violence that shook the national capital.
The families now face the prospect of continuing their fight for justice, clinging to the hope of eventual exoneration for their loved ones while grappling with the immediate reality of prolonged detention.
