A complete chronology of the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, tracing arrests, chargesheets, bail hearings and prolonged incarceration of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, culminating in the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant them bail.
NEW DELHI: The 2020 Delhi riots “larger conspiracy case” has remained one of the most complex and prolonged criminal proceedings in recent Indian legal history. On January 5, 2026, the Supreme Court of India refused to grant bail to student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, while allowing bail to several other accused. The ruling once again placed focus on the timeline of events surrounding the riots, arrests, chargesheets, and judicial scrutiny under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Below is a detailed chronology of events tracing the evolution of the case from the outbreak of violence to the Supreme Court’s latest verdict.
Background: Delhi Riots 2020
The riots erupted amid protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). Violence in Northeast Delhi resulted in 53 deaths and over 700 injuries, triggering a large-scale investigation by the Delhi Police, which alleged a premeditated conspiracy behind the unrest.
Chronology of Events in the Delhi Riots Case
January–February 2020
- January 28, 2020: Sharjeel Imam is arrested for allegedly inflammatory speeches made during anti-CAA protests.
- February 23, 2020: Riots break out in Northeast Delhi, leading to large-scale violence, arson, and fatalities.
Arrests and Chargesheets (2020–2023)
- August 2020: Sharjeel Imam is arrested in the larger conspiracy case.
- September 2020: Umar Khalid is arrested under UAPA in the conspiracy case; other accused are also arrested during the year.
- September 16, 2020: Delhi Police files its main chargesheet under UAPA and IPC against 15 accused.
- November 22, 2020: First supplementary chargesheet filed.
- February 24, 2021: Second supplementary chargesheet filed.
- March 2, 2022: Third supplementary chargesheet filed.
- June 7, 2023: Final chargesheet filed, concluding the investigation.
Bail Proceedings Before the Trial Court and High Court
2022
- The trial court dismisses bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and other accused, citing the statutory bar under Section 43D(5) of UAPA.
- April–May 2022: Appeals are filed before the Delhi High Court. The court hears extensive arguments on speeches, witness statements, and alleged misrepresentation of evidence.
October–December 2022
- October 18, 2022: Delhi High Court rejects Umar Khalid’s bail plea, holding that a prima facie case exists under UAPA.
- December 2022: Khalid is acquitted in a separate stone-pelting FIR but remains in custody in the conspiracy case.
- December 2022: Khalid is granted interim bail for one week to attend his sister’s wedding, subject to strict conditions.
Proceedings Before the Supreme Court (2023–2025)
2023
- April 6, 2023: Khalid files a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court.
- Multiple adjournments follow due to recusal, bench changes, and scheduling issues.
- Khalid’s bail plea is tagged with constitutional challenges to the UAPA, leading to further delay.
2024
- February 14, 2024: Khalid withdraws his Supreme Court bail plea, citing a change in circumstances.
- May 28, 2024: Trial court again rejects Khalid’s bail plea, relying on Supreme Court precedents such as Watali.
- December 2024: Khalid is granted seven-day interim bail to attend a family function.
July–September 2025
- July 9, 2025: Delhi High Court reserves its judgment after extensive hearings.
- September 2, 2025: Delhi High Court rejects bail for Khalid, Imam, and eight other accused, holding that the riots were a “premeditated, well-orchestrated conspiracy.”
Supreme Court Hearings and Verdict
October–December 2025
- October 2025: Khalid and the other accused approach the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court’s order.
- October–December 2025: The Court hears extensive arguments from:
- Defence: Emphasising prolonged incarceration, lack of recovery, and parity with co-accused granted bail.
- Prosecution: Claiming the riots were a planned attack on the state, relying on speeches, encrypted chats, witness statements, and location data.
- December 10, 2025: The Supreme Court reserves judgment after concluding hearings.
- December 16–29, 2025: Khalid is granted interim bail for 15 days to attend his sister’s wedding.
January 5, 2026
- The Supreme Court delivers its verdict:
- Bail denied to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam
- Bail granted to Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed
Supreme Court’s Observations
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Prasanna B. Varale held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Khalid and Imam, triggering the statutory bar on bail under UAPA. The Court observed that:
- Khalid and Imam stood on a “qualitatively different footing” compared to other accused
- Their alleged roles involved planning, mobilization, and strategic direction
- Bail proceedings are not the stage to evaluate defenses in detail
At the same time, the Court reminded the State of its constitutional obligation, noting:
“Article 21 requires the State to justify prolonged pre-trial custody.”
Case Title: Gulfisha Fatima v. State of NCT of Delhi and connected matters
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