Umar Khalid has filed for bail in the Delhi riots case, with the court awaiting Delhi Police’s response in the North East Delhi violence matter. The former JNU student leader seeks relief in the trial court, marking his second attempt for regular bail.
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NEW DELHI: On Wednesday, Umar Khalid, the former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader embroiled in the controversial Delhi riots conspiracy case, has once again approached the Karkardooma Court in Delhi, seeking regular bail. Khalid, who has been behind bars since September 2020, is facing charges under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for his alleged role in orchestrating the February 2020 riots in the national capital.
The request for bail comes after Khalid’s previous attempts at securing release were unsuccessful, with both the trial court and the Delhi High Court dismissing his applications in April 2022 and subsequently. This latest plea marks his second attempt at seeking regular bail in the case. Special Judge Sameer Bajpai has called for a response from the Delhi Police regarding Khalid’s application, setting the stage for the next hearing on March 11, 2024.
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Khalid’s legal journey has been fraught with challenges. Earlier this month, he withdrew his bail plea before the Supreme Court, a move that was permitted by a bench comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Khalid, cited a “change in circumstances” as the reason for the withdrawal, expressing intentions to “seek bail afresh before the trial court.”
Sibal articulated-
“Bail matter, we wish to withdraw. There has been a change in circumstances; we will try our luck in the trial court.”
The backdrop of the case is deeply intertwined with the violent clashes that erupted in northeast Delhi in February 2020, amid protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register for Citizens (NRC). These protests led to widespread violence, resulting in the death of 53 people and injuries to over 700. Khalid is accused of being a key figure in the planning and execution of the riots, facing allegations of delivering inflammatory speeches and participating in activities aimed at inciting violence.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court to Hear Umar Khalid’s Plea Challenging UAPA Provisions
CASE TITLE: [State vs Tahir Hussain and Ors.]
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