Archive · 5 Jan 2026
SC Denies Bail to Khalid, Imam in Delhi Riots Case
The Supreme Court of India decided on December 11, 2023, to deny bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who have been in custody for over five years.
They are charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for their alleged roles in the 2020 Delhi riots.
The court found enough evidence to suggest their involvement in a criminal conspiracy.
However, the court granted bail to five other activists—Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed—after distinguishing their roles from those of Khalid and Imam.
The Delhi Police claimed that the riots were part of a well-planned conspiracy to destabilize the state, while the defendants' lawyers argued that there was a lack of evidence and delay in the trial.
The Supreme Court's decision highlights the seriousness of the allegations against Khalid and Imam, setting them apart from the other accused.
Supreme Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.
The court granted bail to five other activists: Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed.
The court found prima facie evidence against Khalid and Imam, placing them in a distinct category due to the seriousness of the allegations.
The Delhi Police alleged that the riots were part of a larger conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the state and coinciding with the visit of then US President Donald Trump.
The defendants have been in custody for over five years, facing charges under the UAPA and provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
- Who
- Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and five other activists
- What
- Supreme Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, granted bail to five others
- When
- December 11, 2023
- Where
- Supreme Court of India
- Why
- Alleged involvement in a larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots
Critics of the Judgment
Supporters of the Judgment
Delay in Trial
Critics of the Judgment
Critics argue that the prolonged detention of Khalid and Imam, extending beyond five years without the conclusion of the trial, exposes a deeper failure of India’s criminal justice system. They believe that the absence of a concluding stage should not be a reason to deny bail, as it risks converting prolonged detention into a holding pattern without constitutional endpoints.
Supporters of the Judgment
Supporters argue that the delay in the trial has been triggered by the accused themselves, and the court's decision to deny bail is a necessary measure to ensure that the accused face the consequences of their alleged anti-national activities.
Evidence and Allegations
Critics of the Judgment
Critics contend that the court's reliance on untested material, such as chargesheets and witness statements that have not been tested through cross-examination, collapses the distinction between bail proceedings and trial. They argue that liberty should not be decided on allegations rather than adjudication, as it undermines the presumption of innocence.
Supporters of the Judgment
Supporters believe that the court's observation of a prima facie case against Khalid and Imam under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act is a valid reason to deny bail. They argue that the seriousness of the allegations and the evidence presented justify the continued incarceration of the accused.
Political Context
Critics of the Judgment
Critics highlight the political context of the prosecutions, arguing that allegations of conspiracy, speeches, and ideological association form the backbone of the cases against Khalid and Imam. They believe that incarceration following political activity and trial deferment blurs the line between lawful prosecution and punitive detention.
Supporters of the Judgment
Supporters argue that the court's decision sends a strong message that conspiracies aimed at destabilizing the state will not be tolerated. They believe that the verdict reaffirms the seriousness of the allegations and the need to punish those responsible for pushing Delhi into violence.
- Defendants
- Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan, Shadab Ahmed
- Charges
- Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Bench
- Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria
- Date of Verdict
- December 11, 2023
- Duration of Custody
- Over 5 years
- Alleged Conspiracy
- Pan-India conspiracy aiming at 'regime change' and 'economic strangulation'
- Evidence
- WhatsApp groups, Delhi Protest Support Group (DPSG), Jamia Awareness Campaign Team
Sources
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