Delhi HC denies bail to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and seven others in UAPA case

Guwahati: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday rejected the bail pleas of Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, and seven others—Athar Khan, Abdul Khalid Saifi, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed—in the larger conspiracy case linked to the February 2020 Delhi riots.

“All the appeals are dismissed,” said a bench comprising Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Shalinder Kaur while delivering the verdict.

Earlier the same day, co-accused Tasleem Ahmed was also denied bail by a separate bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar.

The accused, charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and relevant IPC provisions, argued that spending five years in custody without trial violated their fundamental right to liberty.

However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Delhi Police, contended that individuals accused of acting against the nation must remain in custody until acquitted or convicted.

He emphasized that the riots resulted in the death of one police officer and injuries to over 140 others, describing the violence as a “well-orchestrated and organised criminal conspiracy.”

Rejecting claims that prolonged detention justified bail, Mehta highlighted that the investigation included 58 statements recorded before a magistrate, terming it “one of the finest” investigations conducted.

The February 2020 riots claimed 53 lives and left more than 700 people injured.