Delhi Police opposes bail for Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam

Umar Khalid Sharjeel Imam Delhi riots UAPA Delhi High Court

Delhi Police has opposed fresh bail applications filed by activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam before the Delhi High Court. The police contend that the two men are the “masterminds” of the 2020 northeast Delhi riots and that their petitions are “illegal” and an attempt to “mislead” the court.

The prosecution argues that the activists are attempting to use a Supreme Court judgment from an unrelated case to claim a change in circumstances. This follows a July 4 trial court order that denied their bail. The police also noted that conditions set by the Supreme Court in January 2026—which allowed for renewed bail pleas only after protected witnesses were examined or after one year had passed—have not yet been met.

The case is linked to the February 2020 violence, which resulted in 53 deaths. The activists are charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which carries strict bail restrictions. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has referred the broader legal question of whether prolonged incarceration without trial can override UAPA bail restrictions to a larger bench.

Entities

Delhi High Court · Delhi Police · Sharjeel Imam · Supreme Court of India · Umar Khalid

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] The fresh bail petitions filed by Khalid and Imam are illegal and an attempt to mislead the court. www.barandbench.com · www.newindianexpress.com · millattimes.com · www.bhaskarhindi.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam are the masterminds of the 2020 Delhi riots. www.barandbench.com · www.newindianexpress.com · millattimes.com · www.bhaskarhindi.com
[● 4 SOURCES] In January 2026, the Supreme Court granted bail to five other accused in the case but rejected pleas from Khalid and Imam. feminisminindia.com · millattimes.com · www.barandbench.com · www.bhaskarhindi.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The accused are attempting to use a Supreme Court judgment from an unrelated case to claim a change in circumstances. www.barandbench.com · www.newindianexpress.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Supreme Court has referred the issue of whether prolonged incarceration can override UAPA bail restrictions to a larger bench. www.newindianexpress.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The current bail appeals follow a July 4 trial court order that denied relief to the activists. www.newindianexpress.com · www.barandbench.com