Delhi Police oppose Umar Khalid bail in 2020 riots case; court reserves order

Delhi High Court reserves verdict on Umar Khalid's bail plea

The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved its order on the bail plea of former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Umar Khalid in the alleged larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots.

During the hearing, the Delhi Police opposed the plea, contending that there had been no substantial change in circumstances to justify granting bail after Khalid's previous applications had been rejected.

The matter was heard by the High Court after detailed arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.

Police argue no fresh grounds for bail

Representing the prosecution, the Delhi Police submitted that the allegations against Khalid remain serious and that the evidence relied upon by the investigating agency has not changed since the earlier proceedings.

The police argued that the present bail application does not introduce any new grounds that would warrant reconsideration of the court's previous decisions.

The prosecution also maintained that the case involves allegations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), where the legal threshold for granting bail is more stringent than in ordinary criminal cases.

Defence seeks relief citing prolonged incarceration

Counsel appearing for Umar Khalid urged the court to grant bail, arguing that he has spent several years in custody while the trial is yet to conclude.

The defence contended that prolonged incarceration without the completion of trial infringes upon the constitutional right to personal liberty and sought relief on that basis.

It also argued that the pace of the proceedings makes an early conclusion of the trial unlikely.

Case stems from 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy probe

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 claimed more than 50 lives and left hundreds injured, prompting multiple investigations by the Delhi Police.

Khalid has been charged under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, among other laws. He has consistently denied the allegations against him and has maintained that he has been falsely implicated.

Court to pronounce order later

After hearing submissions from both sides, the Delhi High Court reserved its order on the bail application.

The court is expected to pronounce its decision on a later date. Until then, Umar Khalid will remain in judicial custody.

The outcome of the case is likely to be closely watched, given its significance in the ongoing legal proceedings arising from the 2020 Delhi riots investigation.