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Supreme Court to Rule Jan. 5 on Bail for Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam in 2020 Delhi Riots Case

The ruling could reshape UAPA bail standards for protest-related cases.

Overview

  • A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N. V. Anjaria will deliver the judgment after reserving orders on December 10.
  • Seven accused — including Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmed — face UAPA charges and have spent over five years in custody.
  • Delhi Police oppose bail as they allege an orchestrated, pre-planned conspiracy amounting to an attack on national sovereignty, citing speeches, WhatsApp chats and other digital evidence.
  • The defence stresses prolonged pre-trial incarceration and argues the prosecution relies mainly on speech and protest activity, as the bench questioned the applicability of UAPA Section 15 to such material.
  • The Delhi High Court denied bail on September 2, and the main case remains at the stage of arguments on charge with a lengthy witness list, indicating the trial is far from starting.