The Delhi High Court has requested a response from the Delhi Police regarding activist Umar Khalid’s bail application concerning a case linked to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA. This case involves allegations of a broader conspiracy surrounding the riots that occurred in north-east Delhi in February 2020. A bench, consisting of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan, issued a notice to the police, demanding a reply within two weeks.

Next Hearing Scheduled for Late August

The court indicated that it would hear Khalid’s bail plea on August 27, coinciding with the bail plea of co-accused Sharjeel Imam. Khalid’s lawyer informed the court that this was the activist’s third attempt to secure bail since his arrest. Additionally, they noted that Khalid is seeking interim bail in the same case.

Khalid has challenged a trial court ruling from July 4 that denied him bail. The Additional Solicitor General, S V Raju, who is representing the Delhi Police, pointed out that Imam’s bail petition was also rejected under the same trial court order, suggesting both matters be heard together by the high court. Khalid’s arrest took place in September 2020, and he has allegedly been implicated as one of the key figures behind the riots.

During the riots, 53 individuals lost their lives, and over 700 sustained injuries. The outbreak of violence was reportedly triggered by protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, and the National Register of Citizens. Other activists, including Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, and former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, are also involved in this alleged conspiracy case, which is under investigation by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police.

Background on the Case and Earlier Court Decisions

The high court had remarked that there appeared to be a prima facie case against Khalid and Imam under the UAPA. The justices stated that not all accused could be viewed equally, taking into consideration the “hierarchy of participation” in the alleged conspiracy linked to the riots. As such, different actions of the accused may warrant varied judicial consideration.

With the notice to the Delhi Police now issued, the high court is set to next address Khalid’s bail plea alongside Imam’s on August 27, while his challenge to the previous trial court’s ruling continues to be pending. The legal proceedings thus remain closely followed as the case develops in the judicial system.

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