Today(on 28th May), Former JNU scholar Umar Khalid’s bail plea in the Delhi riots conspiracy case was denied by the Karkardooma Courts’ Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai. A comprehensive ruling on the dismissal is pending.
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DELHI: Today(on 28th May), Delhi court rejected the bail plea filed by former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) scholar Umar Khalid, who is implicated in the Delhi riots conspiracy case. The decision came from Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of the Karkardooma Courts.
A detailed order regarding the dismissal is still awaited.
Background
In September 2020, Umar Khalid was arrested amidst allegations of being a central figure in the February Delhi riots. His legal ordeal has been fraught with challenges, with charges ranging from criminal conspiracy to offenses under the UAPA. Despite seeking bail initially denied by the trial court in March 2022 and subsequently rejected by the Delhi High Court in October 2022, Khalid’s perseverance led him to take his case to the Supreme Court of India.
In May 2023, Khalid’s plea reached the Supreme Court, prompting the court to request a response from the Delhi Police. Despite this, the proceedings faced multiple adjournments, with the plea postponed on 14 occasions. On February 14, 2024, the Supreme Court was scheduled to review the bail request. However, Khalid’s legal representative, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, opted to strategically retract the plea from the Supreme Court.
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“We opt for withdrawal due to altered circumstances and intend to pursue suitable relief through the trial court.”
– Sibal had stated before a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal.
Following the withdrawal from the Supreme Court, Khalid approached the trial court again, hoping for a favorable decision in light of the changed circumstances. However, the Karkardooma Courts, under Judge Sameer Bajpai, once again dismissed his bail plea, prolonging his incarceration.
The case involving Khalid has captured considerable interest, indicating the broader societal and political divisions stemming from the Delhi riots. Khalid’s extended confinement under the UAPA has sparked debates on civil rights and the enforcement of anti-terrorism statutes in India.
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Supporters of Khalid contend that the allegations against him are inflated and politically driven, with the aim of silencing opposition voices. On the other hand, law enforcement agencies assert that Khalid played a pivotal role in instigating the riots, resulting in widespread violence and substantial loss of life and property.
Awaiting the comprehensive ruling from the Karkardooma Courts, Khalid’s legal advisors are anticipated to scrutinize the verdict carefully to strategize their subsequent steps. The course of action, whether an appeal to the High Court or a reapplication to the Supreme Court, remains uncertain as they seek redress for the former JNU scholar.
