Archive · 31 Jan 2026
Delhi Court Denies Bail to Three in 2020 Riots Case
A court in Delhi has decided not to grant bail to three men who are accused of being involved in a larger conspiracy during the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
These men are Tahir Hussain, Athar Khan, and Salim Malik.
The court said that the accusations against them seem true and that a special law called the UAPA prevents them from being released on bail.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had divided the accused into two groups: those who planned the riots and those who helped.
The three men who were denied bail are considered to be in the first group.
The riots happened almost six years ago, and seven of the 18 people arrested are still in jail.
The court also mentioned that while the Supreme Court granted bail to five other accused in the same case, it dismissed the petitions of two key conspirators, Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
A Delhi court denied bail to Tahir Hussain, Athar Khan, and Salim Malik in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots larger conspiracy case.
The court cited Section 43D (5) of the UAPA, stating that the accusations against the accused are prima facie true.
The Supreme Court had previously identified a hierarchy between 'architects' and 'facilitators' in the case, placing the three accused in the first category.
Hussain is accused of using his terrace for rioting and being a key local player, while Khan is accused of being a main organiser and delivering inflammatory speeches.
Malik is accused of attending a conspiratorial meeting and managing protest sites, and 11 other accused have been granted bail.
- Who
- Tahir Hussain, Athar Khan, Salim Malik, and other accused in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case
- What
- Denial of bail to three accused in the case
- When
- The decision was made on Thursday, January 29, 2026, following the Supreme Court's judgment on January 5, 2026
- Where
- Delhi court, specifically the Karkardooma court
- Why
- The court found that the accusations against the accused are prima facie true and that the UAPA bail bar is still applicable
- Accused Individuals
- Tahir Hussain, Athar Khan, Salim Malik
- Case Type
- Larger conspiracy case linked to 2020 Northeast Delhi riots
- Legal Provision
- Section 43D (5) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
- Supreme Court Judgment
- Identified hierarchy between 'architects' and 'facilitators'
- Current Status
- Seven of 18 accused still in jail
- Allegations Against Hussain
- Terrace used for rioting, key local player, involved in murder case
- Allegations Against Khan
- Main organiser at Chand Bagh protest, inflammatory speeches, coordinated CCTV destruction
- Allegations Against Malik
- Attended conspiratorial meeting, provocative speeches, managed protest sites
- Other Accused
- Mohd Saleem Khan, Gulfisha Fatima, Shadab Ahmad, Shifa-Ur-Rehman, Meeran Haider, Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam
Sources
‘Allegations prima facie true, UAPA bail bar still applicable’: Court denies bail to three accused in 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case
Court denies bail to ex-councilor Tahir Hussain, 2 others
Tahir Hussain, Salim Malik and Athar Khan denied bail in Delhi riots case
Delhi riots case: Court grants interim bail to Khalid Saifi
