Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Delhi Court Grants Bail to Fifth Accused in 2020 Riots Case
A Delhi court has issued release orders for Shahdab Ahmed, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case.
The court accepted his bail bond of Rs 2 lakh along with two local sureties of the same amount.
The Supreme Court had granted bail to five accused, including Ahmed, while refusing bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
The court imposed 11 conditions on the released accused, including staying within Delhi, surrendering passports, and not contacting witnesses.
The other four accused were released earlier.
The court also directed the accused to provide their residential addresses, contact numbers, and email addresses to the investigating officer and the trial court.
Meanwhile, Sharjeel Imam has denied any connection with Umar Khalid, stating they never spoke during their time at JNU and there was no agreement or discussion of violence.
The police allege that the riots were part of a larger conspiracy to defame the Narendra Modi government.
Imam argues that his speeches did not incite violence and that he was in jail when the riots occurred.
Delhi court issued release orders for Shahdab Ahmed, the fifth accused in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case.
The Supreme Court granted bail to five accused, including Ahmed, while refusing bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
The court accepted a bail bond of Rs 2 lakh with two local sureties of the same amount.
The Supreme Court imposed 11 conditions, including staying within Delhi and surrendering passports.
Sharjeel Imam denied any connection with Umar Khalid, stating they never spoke during their time at JNU and there was no agreement or discussion of violence.
- Who
- Shahdab Ahmed, one of the five accused in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case
- What
- Release orders issued by a Delhi court after bail was granted by the Supreme Court
- When
- January 8, 2024
- Where
- Delhi, India
- Why
- The accused fulfilled all bail conditions imposed by the Supreme Court
Police Allegations
Defense Arguments
Connection Between Accused
Police Allegations
Police allege that Umar Khalid is Sharjeel Imam's mentor and guru, and that they conspired together to plan the riots.
Defense Arguments
Sharjeel Imam denies any connection with Umar Khalid, stating they never spoke during their time at JNU and there was no agreement or discussion of violence.
Involvement in Riots
Police Allegations
Police claim that Sharjeel Imam was instrumental in orchestrating chakka jams and gave provocative speeches that led to the riots.
Defense Arguments
Imam argues that his speeches did not incite violence or disturb public order, and that he was in jail when the riots occurred.
- Accused Name
- Shahdab Ahmed
- Bail Amount
- Rs 2 lakh
- Sureties
- Two local sureties of Rs 2 lakh each
- Bail Conditions
- 11 conditions imposed by Supreme Court
- Restrictions
- Cannot leave Delhi without court permission, surrender passports, no contact with witnesses
- Charges
- Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, Arms Act, and sections of the Indian Penal Code
- Alleged Conspiracy
- Police claim the riots were part of a larger conspiracy to defame the Narendra Modi government
- Bail Denial
- Supreme Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, calling them 'masterminds' of the conspiracy
- Number of Accused
- 18 initially arrested, 11 granted bail so far
- Alleged Protest Sites
- 23 protest sites allegedly created in Muslim majority areas
Sources
Delhi riots case: Court issues release orders for fifth accused granted bail
"You Will Rise": Mahua Moitra Shares Poem For Umar Khalid After Bail Denial
Umar Khalid not my guru, no connection with him: Sharjeel Imam tells court in riots conspiracy case
Showered with flower petals, Delhi riots accused Shifa Ur Rehman returns home after five years in jail
‘Sharjeel Imam not a disciple of Umar Khalid,’ his counsel tells court
'No Mentor, No Machination': Sharjeel Imam’s Counsel Rebuts Delhi Police Claim On Umar Khalid Links
'Never Spoke To Umar Khalid In 5 Years': Sharjeel Imam On Delhi Riots Case
2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case: My speeches and violence not linked; never spoke to Khalid at JNU, Sharjeel tells court
Brinda Karat writes: On Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, the Opposition must take a stand
