Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Salim Malik in 2020 Riot UAPA Case

The Delhi High Court, in a bench led by Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain, granted bail to Salim Malik (also known as Munna) on May 21, 2024. Malik had been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly playing a leading role in the February 2020 Delhi riots that resulted in 53 deaths and over 700 injuries. The court cited the Supreme Court’s earlier bail orders for co‑accused Gulfisha Fatima, Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad, finding no material distinction between Malik’s alleged involvement and that of the other accused who had been released.

Malik was arrested in June 2020 and charged with conspiracy, mobilising protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), and participating in violent actions during the riots. The High Court’s decision overturns a trial‑court denial of bail dated January 29, 2026, and underscores the judiciary’s reliance on precedent in UAPA cases.