In a significant ruling on Monday, January 6, 2025, the Supreme Court of India denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who are accused in the larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. The court, however, granted bail to five other co-accused in the same matter.
The Core of the Supreme Court's Decision
The Bench, while acknowledging that the period of incarceration for Khalid and Imam was "substantial", concluded it had not yet crossed the "threshold of constitutional impermissibility". The judgment pivoted on a nuanced "individualised assessment of culpability", effectively creating a hierarchy among the accused based on their alleged roles.
The court identified Khalid and Imam as the "ideological drivers" or "masterminds" behind the alleged conspiracy. It held that they were instrumental in planning to convert protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) into chakka jams (road blockades) with the intent to paralyze Delhi. In contrast, the five individuals granted bail—Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohammad Salim Khan, and Shadab Ahmad—were described as "local-level facilitators".
Expansion of UAPA's "Terrorist Act" Definition
In a consequential interpretation, the Supreme Court expanded the scope of what constitutes a "terrorist act" under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Bench clarified that the means of executing such acts are not restricted to conventional weapons like bombs or explosives alone. This broadened legal interpretation underscores the court's view of the alleged conspiracy's nature.
Broader Context and Other Top Stories
The bail verdict was the centerpiece of a news-packed day. In international affairs, India's measured response to the United States' extraction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro drew attention. While some critics labeled India's stance as "timid" compared to other BRICS nations, analysts see a potential strategic opening for New Delhi to enhance its influence in Latin America.
On the trade front, US Ambassador Sergio Gor is scheduled to visit India soon to finalize a trade deal. This comes amid renewed warnings from US President Donald Trump about potential tariffs if India continues trading with Russia. Notably, US Senator Lindsey Graham indicated that India has already reduced its purchases of Russian oil.
In a separate development causing diplomatic ripples in sports, Bangladesh banned the telecast of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The decision followed the BCCI's directive to Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman. Consequently, Bangladesh also refused to play its T20 World Cup matches in India.
Meanwhile, a new legal and ethical concern emerged on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The platform's Grok AI tool is reportedly being used by anonymous accounts to generate manipulated, objectionable images of women with minimal guardrails, raising serious questions about accountability and potential legal action.
