Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam renew bail applications in Delhi riots case

Activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam have filed fresh bail pleas before Additional Sessions Judge Sumedh Saini in the larger conspiracy case stemming from the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots. Their applications argue that six‑year pre‑trial detention without charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) violates their fundamental right to liberty and cite recent Supreme Court judgments as a “change in circumstances” that merit relief. The court has asked the Delhi Police for a response and scheduled a hearing for July 4.

The Supreme Court on 5 January refused bail to both men, while granting relief to several co‑accused. Charges have yet to be framed, and the activists contend the trial is unlikely to commence soon due to the volume of evidence. The riots, which occurred during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the proposed National Register of Citizens, left 53 dead and more than 700 injured.