Umar Khalid Approaches Delhi High Court Seeking Interim Bail In Riots Case

Jailed student activist Umar Khalid has approached the Delhi High Court challenging a trial court order that denied him interim bail in the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots. Khalid has sought temporary release on humanitarian grounds to attend the Chehlum ceremony of his late uncle and assist his ailing mother, who is scheduled to undergo surgery next month.

According to the causelist available on the Delhi High Court’s website, a bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain is expected to hear the matter on Friday. Khalid’s plea comes after a Delhi trial court recently dismissed his request for 15 days of interim bail filed under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Code of Criminal Procedure.

In his application before the lower court, Khalid stated that his uncle, Khursheed Ahmad Khan, died on April 10 and that the Chehlum ceremony marking the 40th day after death is scheduled for May 24 in Delhi. He also submitted that his mother has been advised surgery for lump excision at a private hospital on June 2. The plea argued that his 71-year-old father was unable to adequately care for her and that his married sisters lived away from the family home.

Also Read: Umar Khalid’s Interim Bail Plea Rejected By Delhi Court In UAPA Case

The prosecution opposed the interim bail request, contending that Khalid was attempting to misuse judicial leniency and that the grounds cited were not compelling enough for temporary release. The Special Public Prosecutor argued that Khalid’s uncle did not fall within the category of “close relations” and that attending the Chehlum ceremony was not essential. Regarding his mother’s health, the prosecution maintained that other family members could take care of her and described the planned procedure as a minor surgery requiring local anaesthesia.

While rejecting the plea, the trial court observed that although Khalid had previously been granted interim bail on several occasions and had complied with all imposed conditions, each application had to be assessed independently on its own merits. The court held that attendance at the Chehlum ceremony was “not that necessary” and further noted that multiple family members were available to support his mother during her treatment and recovery.

Khalid has remained in custody since September 2020 under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other offences in the alleged larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. Delhi Police has alleged that several student activists involved in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act conspired to engineer the violence that broke out in February 2020. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of India dismissed the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and co-accused Sharjeel Imam, holding that the prosecution material disclosed prima facie grounds attracting restrictions on bail under the UAPA.

Also Read: Supreme Court Reaffirms Bail Principle In UAPA Cases While Reviewing Umar Khalid Order