Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Delhi Court Delays Activists' Release After SC Bail
Four people who were in jail for over five years were given bail by the Supreme Court.
But a lower court in Delhi said the police needed to check their bail papers first.
This made their release take longer.
The court said they can't leave Delhi or talk to witnesses.
Two other people, Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, were not given bail because the court thinks they had bigger roles in the riots.
The four people might be released on Wednesday after the police check their papers.
The Supreme Court used a broad definition of terrorism to deny bail to Khalid and Imam, which has been criticized for being too vague and used in many different cases.
Critics argue that the distinction made by the court is unprecedented and lacks evidence, while the court maintains that the roles of the accused differ significantly.
Delhi court ordered police verification of bail bonds for four activists granted bail by the Supreme Court.
The four activists have been in custody since mid-2020.
Their release is delayed until Wednesday when the verification report is due.
The Supreme Court distinguished between the roles of the accused, granting bail to those with 'facilitative' roles.
Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam were denied bail, labeled as 'masterminds' of the riots.
- Who
- Four activists: Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Saleem Khan; Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam
- What
- Delhi court delayed their release after Supreme Court granted bail to four activists
- When
- January 7, 2026
- Where
- Karkardooma Court, Delhi
- Why
- Court ordered police verification of bail bonds and surety documents
Critics of Bail Decision
Supreme Court's Stance
Distinction Among Accused
Critics of Bail Decision
Critics argue that the Supreme Court's distinction between 'masterminds' and 'facilitators' lacks evidence and is unprecedented in criminal justice.
Supreme Court's Stance
The Supreme Court justified the distinction by categorizing the accused based on their roles in the conspiracy, with Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam deemed as 'ideological architects'.
Evidence Against Umar Khalid
Critics of Bail Decision
Umar Khalid's father claims there is no evidence against his son, as he was not in Delhi during the riots and did not make inflammatory statements.
Supreme Court's Stance
The Supreme Court maintained that Khalid and Imam played significant roles in the conspiracy, placing them higher in the hierarchy of participation.
Right to Dissent
Critics of Bail Decision
Critics argue that Khalid's activism against the Citizenship Amendment Bill and NRC should not be criminalized, emphasizing the right to dissent in a democracy.
Supreme Court's Stance
The court's decision focuses on the alleged roles in the riots, not on the general right to protest or dissent.
- Accused Names
- Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Saleem Khan, Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam
- Bail Amount
- Rs 2 lakh each
- Sureties
- Two local sureties of Rs 2 lakh each
- Verification Deadline
- Wednesday
- Release Conditions
- Surrender passports, stay in Delhi, no contact with witnesses
- Court
- Karkardooma Court, Delhi
- Supreme Court Judges
- Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria
- Case FIR Number
- 59/2020
- UAPA Section
- Section 15
- UAPA Amendment Year
- 2004, 2008, 2012, 2019
Sources
Bond Bottleneck: Sessions Court's Rare Order Delays Release Of 4 Delhi Riots Accused After SC Bail
After SC identifies hierarchy of roles to deny Umar, Sharjeel bail, another accused moves court with fresh plea; three others to follow
Delhi riots case: Bail denied to Khalid, Imam | UAPA’s ever-widening definition of terrorism
JNU seeks FIR as students raise slogans against PM Modi, Shah
Liberty On Hold: Bail, Delay And The Cost Of Deferred Justice
JNU asks Delhi police to file FIR over slogans on Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam bail - Telegraph India
"You Will Rise": Mahua Moitra Shares Poem For Umar Khalid After Bail Denial
Weird, without any precedent: Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas on SC's rejection of bail to son Umar Khalid
After relief from SC to others, another Delhi riots accused files bail plea seeking parity
Delhi riots case: Court issues release orders for four accused granted bail by SC
Delhi riots case: Court issues release orders for four accused granted bail by SC
Delhi court issues release orders of four accused in 2020 Delhi riots case after Supreme Court bail
Delhi riots case: Four accused released from jail after bail from SC
Gulfisha Fatima walks out of Tihar after Supreme Court bail in Delhi riots case - Telegraph India
