A Delhi court on Wednesday granted interim bail to former JNU scholar Umar Khalid for seven days in connection with the 2020 North-East Delhi riots conspiracy case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA). Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai, presiding at the Karkardooma Courts, permitted the interim relief to allow Khalid to attend a family wedding.
Bail Conditions
The court has imposed several strict conditions on Khalid during the interim bail period, including –
No contact with witnesses or persons related to the case. No use of social media. He shall only interact with family, relatives, and friends attending the wedding. He must remain at home or at wedding-related venues. Khalid has been directed to surrender to the jail authorities by the evening of January 3, 2025.
Legal Background
Khalid was arrested under FIR 59 of 2020, filed by Delhi Police’s Special Cell, which alleged a larger conspiracy behind the Delhi riots of February 2020. The charges include provisions under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and UAPA.
October 2022: Khalid was denied bail by the Delhi High Court.
Subsequent Appeal: He approached the Supreme Court but later withdrew his Special Leave Petition (SLP).
Second Regular Bail Plea: Rejected by the trial court earlier this year. Khalid’s appeal against this rejection is currently pending before the Delhi High Court.
Co-Accused in the Case
The case also names several others, including:
Tahir Hussain, Khalid Saifi, Ishrat Jahan, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, Shifa-Ur-Rehman, Asif Iqbal Tanha, Shadab Ahmed, Safoora Zargar, Sharjeel Imam, and Natasha Narwal, among others.
The investigation alleges their involvement in orchestrating the riots, which left over 50 dead and hundreds injured.
Court’s Directions
While granting interim relief, the court reiterated that Khalid must adhere to the conditions strictly, failing which, his bail could be revoked. The detailed bail order emphasizes that Khalid’s presence is solely for wedding-related purposes. This interim bail does not affect Khalid’s pending appeal for regular bail before the Delhi High Court.
Lawcutor 