Judge Who Denied Bail To Umar Khalid Retires; Faces 'Post-Retirement Job' Criticism

New Delhi: Justice Shalinder Kaur, who delivered the verdict denying bail to Umar Khalid and other accused in the 2020 Delhi riot case, retired on September 4, 2025. She was a judge of the Delhi High Court and had been part of a division bench that pronounced the 133-page verdict refusing to grant bail to activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and seven others.

Even after over four years of imprisonment since their arrest, activists and former JNU students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, among others, continue to be behind the bar without trial or bail. Over the years, the courts — from lower court to the High Court — have denied bail even though there is a clear order from the Supreme Court that bail is the rule and jail is the exception.

Read Also: Swara Bhasker Rips Into Judiciary And Media As Umar Khalid Completes 4 Years In Jail Without Bail

Umar Khalid faced bail denial thrice from trial court and twice from the Delhi High Court. The former JNU student activist has been  charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which punishes terror acts for participating in anti-CAA protests.

There have been widespread criticism against the denial of bail to the Delhi riot accused, noting that the judgements violate due judicial process.

Read Also: Hope In The House Of The Living Dead: Umar Khalid Pens Behind Prison Bars

Justice Shailendra Kaur, who gave the ridiculous judgement denying bail to Umar Khalid & others who have been in Jail for 5 years w/o trial, retires today. Waiting to see what post retirement job she will be given

— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) September 4, 2025