Archive · 4 Sep 2025
Delhi High Court Denies Bail to Delhi Riot Accused
The Delhi High Court refused to grant bail to Umar Khalid and others accused in the 2020 Delhi riots.
They have been in jail for over five years, and the trial is yet to begin.
The court relied on WhatsApp chats and witness testimonies as evidence, although the witnesses' identities are protected.
The accused were charged under UAPA.
The court stated that there were grounds to believe the accusations were true, thus denying bail.
This decision has been met with scrutiny regarding the standard of evidence required.
The Delhi High Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and others.
Accused are charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The case concerns the February 2020 Delhi riots.
Evidence includes WhatsApp chats and witness testimonies.
The court cited reasonable grounds to believe accusations were true.
- Who
- Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, and others
- What
- Were denied bail
- When
- Tuesday
- Where
- Delhi High Court
- Why
- Due to the court finding reasonable grounds to believe accusations were prima facie true.
Accused Argument
Court's Position (Implied)
Evidence Credibility
Accused Argument
Statements of protected witnesses are unreliable and lack detail.
Court's Position (Implied)
Credibility of the evidence cannot be examined at the bail stage.
Application of UAPA
Accused Argument
Actions fall under Section 13 (unlawful activities), a lesser offense.
Court's Position (Implied)
Court has to consider the arguments presented to deny the bail.
- Defendants
- Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, and seven others
- Charges
- Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
- Incident
- February 2020 Delhi Riots
- Court Action
- Denied Bail
- Time in Custody
- More than five years
- Evidence
- WhatsApp chats and protected witness testimonies
Sources
'Umar Is Unshaken, Trusts Judiciary'
Umar, Sharjeel & Others Trapped in a System that's Forgotten Justice
Delhi Riots accused Gulfisha Fatima denied bail, read how she created WhatsApp groups and incited Muslim women
Read what Delhi HC said while rejecting bail pleas of Delhi riots accused Athar, Shadab, Abdul and Saleem
Delhi High Court rejected bail pleas of nine Delhi Riots 2020 accused, ruling parity with co-accused did not apply
Delhi riots bail plea fact-check: did High Court dismiss in 29 seconds?
Delhi HC denies bail to Shifa-ur-Rehman and Meeran Haider in 2020 Delhi riots case: Details
No Bail To Umar Khalid; Ecosystem Attacks Judiciary; 'Lobby' Is Supreme Not The Law? | India Upfront
No Bail For Umar Khalid, Trial Still Awaited, What Next: Why I.N.D.I.A Vs NDA? Watch Newshour Debate
Express view on denial of bail to Umar Khalid and others in Delhi riots case: An injustice
