The Karkardooma Court refused interim bail to Umar Khalid in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, rejecting his plea seeking temporary release to care for his ailing mother and attend the Chehlum ritual of his deceased uncle.
The Karkardooma Court, Delhi refused to grant interim bail to activist Umar Khalid in the larger conspiracy case connected to the 2020 Delhi riots.
Khalid had approached the court seeking interim bail for a period of 15 days on humanitarian grounds. In his plea, he requested temporary release to take care of his ailing mother, who is scheduled to undergo surgery, and to participate in the Chehlum ritual of his uncle who passed away last month.
The application was heard by Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai at the Karkardooma Courts in Delhi.
During the hearing, the Delhi Police opposed the request for interim bail and argued that no extraordinary or urgent circumstances existed that justified temporary release.
The prosecution submitted before the court that the medical procedure involving Khalid’s mother was not an emergency surgery requiring his immediate presence. It was also argued that the deceased relative whose Chehlum ritual Khalid intended to attend was not a close family member.
Delhi Police further contended that the grounds cited in the application did not meet the threshold required for grant of interim bail in a serious criminal case involving allegations under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
After hearing the submissions made by both sides, the court agreed with the prosecution’s argument regarding the nature of the relationship between Khalid and his deceased uncle.
The Court also observed that other members of Khalid’s family, including his father and sisters, were available to care for his mother before and after the surgery.
The Court ordered,
“Accordingly, finding the reasons unreasonable, the Court doesn’t deem it appropriate to grant the desired relief to the applicant. The application is dismissed,”
With this observation, the Additional Sessions Judge dismissed the plea for interim bail.
Background of the Delhi Riots Conspiracy Case
Umar Khalid was arrested in September 2020 in connection with the alleged larger conspiracy behind the communal violence that erupted in northeast Delhi in February 2020.
The riots, which took place during protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), resulted in widespread violence, deaths, injuries and extensive damage to property.
Investigating agencies alleged that the violence was part of a pre-planned conspiracy involving several activists and accused persons. Khalid has consistently denied the allegations against him.
He has been charged with offences including criminal conspiracy, rioting, unlawful assembly and other serious offences under the UAPA and provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
The Delhi Police Special Cell has alleged that speeches and meetings linked to the accused persons formed part of a broader conspiracy leading to the riots. Several activists, students and individuals were named in the case under anti-terror and conspiracy provisions.
Since his arrest in 2020, Khalid has remained in judicial custody for an extended period while trial proceedings continue.
Over the years, he has approached various courts seeking regular bail as well as interim relief on different occasions. However, courts have repeatedly denied him regular bail, primarily citing the seriousness of the allegations and the restrictions imposed under the UAPA regarding grant of bail.
The case continues to remain one of the most closely followed prosecutions arising out of the 2020 Delhi riots, with proceedings involving multiple accused persons still pending before Delhi courts.
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