India's Supreme Court refers Delhi riots bail pleas to larger bench, grants interim relief to two accused

A two‑judge bench of the Supreme Court of India, consisting of Justices Aravind Kumar and P.B. Varale, declined to comment on a recent criticism of a January 5 order that denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who are charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for their alleged role in the Delhi riots. The bench referred the question of prolonged pre‑trial detention to a larger bench and ordered that the matter be placed before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for further consideration.

In the same hearing the court granted six‑month interim bail to two other accused, Abdul Khalid Saifi and Tasleem Ahmad, while noting that the prosecution could seek cancellation if conditions are breached. Earlier the Delhi High Court had allowed Umar Khalid a three‑day interim bail to visit his mother undergoing surgery. The proceedings highlight the judiciary's grapple with bail provisions under the stringent UAPA framework.