Former JNU scholar Umar Khalid has filed a new bail appeal in the Delhi riots conspiracy case, with the Delhi High Court scheduled to hear the case on July 22. Khalid, arrested in September 2020, faces serious charges under the UAPA and has been in custody since.
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NEW DELHI: 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. The case has been scheduled for a hearing before the Division Bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma on July 22 (Monday).
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.
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.
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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.
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.
“Due to a change in circumstances, we wish to withdraw and seek appropriate relief from the trial court.”
-Sibal had stated.
Following the withdrawal, Khalid approached the trial court once again, only to have his second bail petition rejected on May 28.
The upcoming hearing in the Delhi High Court on July 22 is crucial for Khalid, as it represents another opportunity to seek bail after previous setbacks. The legal journey has been long and fraught with challenges, reflecting the complexities of the case and the charges involved.
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.
