2020 Delhi Riots: Delhi High Court Reviews Umar Khalid’s Bail Plea

The Delhi High Court addressed a significant legal matter on Friday, seeking the position of Delhi Police regarding activist Umar Khalid’s bail plea under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). This plea pertains to the alleged “larger conspiracy” linked to the violent riots that unfolded in north-east Delhi in February 2020.

The bench, comprised of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Vikas Mahajan, issued a notice to Delhi Police, mandating them to submit their response within a two-week timeframe. Khalid’s attorney asserted that this represents Khalid’s third application for bail since his arrest.

During the proceedings, the bench mentioned it will convene to review Khalid’s plea on August 27, synchronizing the hearing with the bail application of co-accused Sharjeel Imam. Khalid seeks bail after a trial court dismissed his previous application on July 4.

Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the Delhi Police, noted that Imam’s bail plea also faced rejection from the same trial court. Raju suggested that both cases could be heard jointly by the bench.

Umar Khalid faced arrest in September 2020 and currently confronts serious charges under the UAPA, accused of orchestrating the February riots that tragically resulted in 53 fatalities and left over 700 individuals injured. These riots erupted in response to contentious protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) of 2019 and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Khalid finds himself alongside other activists, including Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, and former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, all facing accusations of involvement in the overarching conspiracy connected to the riots. The investigation is under the purview of the Delhi Police’s Special Cell.

The trial court’s rejection of Khalid’s bail plea on July 4 constrained the judge to adhere to the Supreme Court’s directive from January 5. The Supreme Court had previously ruled that it could neither entertain the plea nor grant Khalid any form of relief.

On September 2, 2025, a division bench of the high court marked another setback for Khalid, denying his bail once again. The Supreme Court subsequently upheld this decision, although it did grant bail to co-accused Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohammad Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmad.

A significant observation made by a bench comprised of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria underscored the prima facie case against Khalid and Imam under the UAPA. The court also commented that the involvement of all accused does not equate due to the “hierarchy of participation” in the disaster.

The ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the Delhi riots continue to draw attention, as they encompass critical issues related to freedom of expression, civil rights, and the interpretation of anti-terror laws in India. Activists and legal experts maintain a keen interest in the outcome of Khalid’s bail plea, highlighting its potential implications on human rights legislation in India.