NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, denied bail to activist Umar Khalid and nine other co-accused in the case related to the alleged “larger conspiracy” behind the 2020 Delhi riots. The bench, comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur, dismissed the bail pleas of the accused who have been incarcerated for several years under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The accused, including former Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Umar Khalid and activist Sharjeel Imam, had challenged the trial court orders that had previously denied them bail. The other individuals whose bail pleas were rejected are Gulfisha Fatima, Khalid Saifi, Athar Khan, Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa ur Rehman, Meeran Haider, and Shadab Ahmed. A separate bench also denied bail to another co-accused, Tasleem Ahmad.
The prosecution, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, vehemently opposed the bail pleas, arguing that the riots were not spontaneous but were part of a “well-thought-out conspiracy” with a “sinister motive” to destabilize the nation and defame India on a global level.
The prosecution contended that prolonged incarceration was not a sufficient ground for bail in a case involving such serious offenses.
The defense lawyers for the accused had argued for bail, citing their long period of detention—over four years for many—and the slow pace of the trial. They also sought parity with other co-accused who had previously been granted bail.
The court, after reserving its judgment on the matter in July, pronounced its verdict, stating, “All the appeals are dismissed.” A detailed order providing the specific reasons for the denial is awaited.
The 2020 Delhi riots, which erupted during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), left more than 50 people dead and hundreds injured. The Delhi Police have accused Khalid, Imam, and the other co-accused of being the “masterminds” of the violence. The accused can now challenge the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court.
