Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Delhi Police Opposes Fresh Bail Pleas in 2020 Riots Case
Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam are asking a court to release them on bail.
They are accused in a case about a planned conspiracy linked to the 2020 Delhi riots.
Delhi Police says the two were important leaders, or “masterminds,” in the alleged plan.
The police wants the Delhi High Court to reject their new bail requests.
It says the Supreme Court previously treated them differently from five other accused people who received bail.
The Supreme Court said they could try for bail again after protected witnesses were examined or after one year, whichever came first.
Police says neither condition had happened when the new petitions were filed.
The accused have relied on later Supreme Court decisions involving prolonged detention and UAPA bail rules.
The High Court hearing listed for August 27 was deferred after that date was declared a holiday.
Delhi Police has opposed fresh bail pleas by Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam before the Delhi High Court.
The police describes both activists as central “masterminds” with command authority in the alleged conspiracy.
The case concerns the alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 North-East Delhi riots and includes charges under the UAPA.
Police relies on a January Supreme Court ruling that denied bail to Khalid and Imam while granting bail to five co-accused.
The police says renewed pleas were premature because protected witnesses had not been examined and one year from the ruling had not elapsed.
- Who
- Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam are seeking bail, while the Delhi Police is opposing their pleas.
- What
- The Delhi Police has asked the Delhi High Court to reject their fresh bail applications in the 2020 riots larger conspiracy case.
- When
- The police filed responses in August 2026; a hearing listed for August 27 was deferred.
- Where
- The proceedings are before the Delhi High Court and concern violence in North-East Delhi.
- Why
- Police says the Supreme Court’s earlier findings, the alleged roles of Khalid and Imam, and unmet conditions for renewed bail justify their continued detention.
Delhi Police’s Position
Accused’ Defence Position
Alleged role in the conspiracy
Delhi Police’s Position
Police says Khalid and Imam planned and orchestrated anti-CAA and NRC demonstrations to trigger violent clashes and exercised command authority.
Accused’ Defence Position
The available reports do not provide the accused’s full response to the allegations; they are seeking bail in the case.
Whether the fresh pleas are maintainable
Delhi Police’s Position
Police says the Supreme Court prescribed when renewed bail pleas could be filed and that neither the protected-witness condition nor the one-year threshold had been met.
Accused’ Defence Position
Khalid and Imam filed fresh bail applications and challenged the trial court’s rejection of their pleas.
Effect of later Supreme Court rulings
Delhi Police’s Position
Police says decisions concerning prolonged incarceration, UAPA bail restrictions, and a pending larger-Bench reference do not override the earlier ruling in their case.
Accused’ Defence Position
Khalid has relied on prolonged incarceration and the pending reference concerning Article 21 and Section 43D(5); the accused also relied on subsequent Supreme Court decisions.
- Case
- Alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 North-East Delhi riots
- Accused seeking bail
- Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam
- Police position
- The Delhi Police calls the two alleged central “masterminds” and says their fresh petitions are misconceived and illegal.
- Applicable law
- Section 43D(5) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
- Earlier Supreme Court ruling
- The ruling denied bail to Khalid and Imam but granted bail to five co-accused.
- Renewed-bail conditions
- The accused could seek bail after protected witnesses were examined or one year from the Supreme Court order, whichever came earlier.
- Reported violence toll
- One report said the clashes caused 53 deaths and more than 700 injuries.
Sources
Bail Battle In HC: Delhi Police Oppose Fresh Pleas By Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam In 2020 Riots Case
Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam are ‘masterminds’, detention justified, Delhi Police tells HC in bail pleas in 2020 riots larger conspiracy case