Supreme Court Adjourns Bail Plea Hearing for Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam
The Supreme Court has deferred the bail plea hearing for activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and others accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case to September 22. The accused, charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), are challenging a Delhi High Court order that denied them bail. They have argued that their prolonged pre-trial detention, lasting over five and a half years for Imam, violates their fundamental right to a speedy trial.
Unpacked:
Khalid and Imam were charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Indian Penal Code sections, including conspiracy, rioting, sedition, terrorist acts, and promoting enmity between groups. Authorities accused them of planning the riots and inciting violence through speeches and social media activity in connection with protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Their prolonged detention is due to the stringent provisions of the UAPA, which makes bail difficult, and repeated adjournments of hearings. The prosecution argues that their alleged actions amount to a serious conspiracy, while the defense claims delays violate the right to a speedy trial. The courts have repeatedly denied bail, citing the nature of the charges and ongoing investigations.
Both activists argue they had no role in planning or inciting violence and were not present at the riot sites. Imam claims his speeches had no connection to the violence and that he was in custody before the riots began. Khalid says his public remarks were unrelated to the unrest, and both cite the principle that bail should be the norm, not the exception.
The 2020 Delhi riots occurred in February, resulting in over 50 deaths amid protests against the CAA. Authorities allege Khalid and Imam delivered inflammatory speeches and used WhatsApp groups to mobilize protesters, aiming to embarrass the government during President Trump's visit. Both deny involvement, maintaining their protests were peaceful and constitutionally protected.