Both key accused have challenged the decisions of lower courts denying them relief under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
Former Jawaharlal Nehru University students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam have approached the Supreme Court of India seeking bail in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. Both key accused have challenged the decisions of lower courts denying them relief under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The petitions mark a crucial legal turn in the long-running judicial proceedings surrounding the northeast Delhi violence that erupted in February 2020.
Approaching the Expiry of the Judicial Embargo
A central foundation of the new bail petitions relies on the timeline established by previous judicial orders. Earlier rulings had granted the accused liberty to renew their prayers for bail upon the completion of key witness examinations or following the expiry of a specified one-year embargo period, whichever occurred earlier.
With the embargo timeframe drawing to a close and the examination of protected prosecution witnesses still ongoing, defence counsels submitted that prolonged incarceration without trial completion warrants fresh judicial review. The petitions contend that the constitutional right to a speedy trial under Article 21 must be weighed alongside statutory restrictions.
Extended Incarceration and Trial Delays
Both Khalid and Imam have remained in judicial custody since late 2020 following their arrests under FIR 59, registered by the Delhi Police Special Cell. Prosecutors allege that both individuals acted as key ideological drivers and masterminds who planned blockades and orchestrated speech campaigns that escalated into violent clashes.