Umar Khalid, a well-known activist and former student leader, has decided to withdraw his request for bail from the Supreme Court of India. Instead, he plans to apply for bail again at the trial court. Khalid is facing charges linked to his alleged involvement in the Delhi riots of February 2020.
New Delhi: On February 14, the bench, comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sudhanshu Dhulia, indicated that the trial court had already presided over the matter and that it would be appropriate for Khalid to seek bail from there.
“The trial court is already seized of the matter. It would be appropriate for the petitioner to seek bail from there.”
the bench remarked
Background
Umar Khalid, the former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student and activist, has decided to withdraw his bail petition from the Supreme Court, opting instead to approach the trial court afresh for bail. The case related to the Delhi riots case, in which Khalid has been an important figure.
Umar Khalid, who has been under arrest since September 2020 under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), initially approached the apex court seeking relief after the Delhi High Court deferred the hearing of his bail application. The Supreme Court, upon hearing Khalid’s plea, suggested that he might consider withdrawing his petition and applying for bail directly from the trial court.
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We’re withdrawing the bail matter. However, we’ll continue to argue on the legal issue in the writ petition challenging UAPA provisions. With changing circumstances, we aim to pursue our case in trial court. Bench grants our request.
Sr Adv. Kapil Sibal
Umar Khalid has been in controversy over the February 2020 Delhi riots, which resulted in significant loss of life and property. The charges against him under the UAPA have been contentious, with supporters arguing that his involvement in anti-CAA protests has been criminalized under the guise of maintaining law and order.
The Umar Khalid case has become so popular, especially for those charged under laws like the UAPA, which allow for extended periods of detention without bail. As Khalid seeks bail through the trial court, his case continues to draw attention to the broader issues of freedom of expression, assembly, and the state’s role in regulating dissent.
