Delhi Court Denies Bail To Umar Khalid Who Has Been In Jail Since 2020

A Delhi court today rejected the bail plea submitted by the former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader and activist Umar Khalid, who has been in jail since he was arrested during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. He has been accused by Delhi police of a “larger conspiracy” in the riot by the Delhi police, and the police alleged that Khalid planned protests across 23 places in 2020, allegedly leading to riots. He was arrested under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Notably, this is the second bail application by the accused, Umar Khalid, which has been rejected by Delhi“s Karkardooma court. Umar Khalid had sought bail on grounds of delay and parity with the other accused in the case. His first plea seeking regular bail was dismissed by a trial court in March 2022. Earlier in February, the activist withdrew his bail petition from the Supreme Court and decided to once again approach the trail court.

While arguing for the petitioner, Umar Khalid”s lawyer, Trideep Pais, noted that there have been no terror allegations leveled against the former JNU student leader in the police charge sheet, and his name was only repeated in the document. He argued that the accused has not committed any terrorist acts, adding that a lie does not become true just by repeating his name in the document. Khalid”s advocate also alleged a vicious media trial against his client in the case.

However, special public prosecutor Amit Prasad, appeared for the Delhi police, opposed the bail application, noting that the verdict granting bail to the other three accused cannot be relied on as a precedent and that every other accused cannot be entitled to parity.

The prosecutor cited Khalid”s chats and argued that the accused amplified his narrative. He also alleged that Khalid”s involvement in the case was a pre-made plan. Prasad also accused that Khalid shared links from news outlets with people, including some actors, asking them to amplify the content to “expose the Delhi police. ”