SC issues notice on bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, others in 2020 Delhi riots case

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on appeals filed by Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima and Meeran Haider, seeking bail in the larger conspiracy case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act pertaining to 2020 North East Delhi riots.

When a counsel appearing for the accused highlighted that the accused had been in jail for over five years, the bench said it would hear the appeals and decide the same. The bench has listed the appeals for hearing on October 7. Khalid and others moved the SC against the Delhi High Court's September order vide which the high court denied them bail.

The riots occurred in February 2020 following clashes over the then-proposed Citizenship Amendment Act. As per the Delhi Police, the riots caused the death of 53 persons and injured hundreds.


It is alleged the accused had hatched a larger conspiracy to cause multiple riots. The FIR in this case was registered by a Special Cell of the Delhi Police under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the UAPA.