Today, the Delhi High Court has requested a response from the police regarding the bail plea of Umar Khalid. Khalid, an activist and former JNU student leader
![[BREAKING] Delhi Riots 2020 Conspiracy Case: Delhi High Court Seeks Police Reply to Umar Khalid's Bail Plea](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1666016562_1619124028_khalid.jpg?resize=820%2C456&ssl=1)
NEW DELHI: Today (24th July): The Delhi High Court has requested a response from the police regarding the bail plea of Umar Khalid. Khalid, an activist and former JNU student leader, is currently accused of involvement in the conspiracy behind the February 2020 Delhi riots.
A division bench consisting of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Girish Kathpalia has requested a response from the Delhi Police and scheduled the next hearing for August 29.
Former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) scholar Umar Khalid has made a fresh appeal for bail in connection with the Delhi riots conspiracy case, approaching the Delhi High Court for relief.
Khalid, who was arrested in September 2020, faces multiple charges including criminal conspiracy, rioting, and unlawful assembly, under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). He has remained incarcerated since his arrest.
On 22nd July Justice Amit Sharma of the Delhi High Court has recused himself from hearing Umar Khalid’s bail plea in the Delhi riots conspiracy case.
This marks the second attempt by Khalid to secure bail. Initially, his plea was denied by the trial court in March 2022. Khalid then sought intervention from the High Court, which also turned down his request in October 2022, leading him to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.
In May 2023, the Supreme Court sought a response from the Delhi Police regarding Khalid’s plea. However, his case faced numerous adjournments, totaling 14 times, delaying the proceedings significantly.
Following the withdrawal, Khalid approached the trial court once again, only to have his second bail petition rejected on May 28.
The Delhi riots conspiracy case has been a high-profile one, drawing significant attention due to the serious nature of the accusations and the involvement of various student leaders and activists. Umar Khalid’s continued incarceration has been a point of contention among his supporters and human rights advocates, who argue for his release on the grounds of prolonged pre-trial detention.
On February 14, 2024, Umar Khalid withdrew his bail plea from the Supreme Court, citing a shift in circumstances. This decision came just as a Supreme Court bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal was set to hear the matter. During the hearing, Khalid’s counsel, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, informed the Court of their intention to withdraw the plea.
