Court rules gravity of charges outweighs plea for release

New Delhi, September 3, 2025 – A Delhi court has rejected the bail applications of activist Umar Khalid and student leader Sharjeel Imam in the case linked to the alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots. The court observed that the seriousness of the charges and the role attributed to the two accused made them ineligible for relief at this stage.

The Special Court, hearing the case under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, held that both Khalid and Imam were prime movers in the alleged conspiracy, which prosecutors claim instigated violence across northeast Delhi during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The judge noted that the charges involved offences against the state and national security, and therefore could not be lightly considered for bail.

During the hearing, defense lawyers argued that both men had already spent more than four years in custody without trial and that prolonged incarceration violated their fundamental rights. They insisted that the prosecution had failed to present direct evidence linking the accused to acts of violence. Instead, they said, the case was built on conjectures, selective witness statements, and unrelated digital evidence.

The prosecution countered these claims by stating that the accused had played a crucial role in mobilizing protest networks, coordinating through encrypted platforms, and delivering inflammatory speeches that allegedly contributed to the outbreak of riots. The court was told that granting bail at this juncture would risk tampering with witnesses and derail the trial process.

Rejecting the applications, the judge concluded that the accusations, combined with the nature of the evidence, made it inappropriate to release the accused on bail. The order emphasized that public peace and the sanctity of the justice process outweighed the right to liberty in this instance.

The decision drew sharp reactions outside the courtroom. Supporters of the activists expressed disappointment, calling the continued detention unjust and politically motivated. “Keeping Umar and Sharjeel in jail for years without trial is nothing but punishment before conviction,” said a member of a civil society group. On the other hand, families of riot victims welcomed the order, asserting that accountability must come before leniency.

Legal experts say the ruling reflects a pattern in UAPA-related cases, where courts have been reluctant to grant bail due to the gravity of allegations, even when trials remain delayed. They note that the matter may eventually reach higher courts, where the balance between national security concerns and individual rights will again be tested.

The 2020 riots in Delhi left over 50 people dead and hundreds injured, marking one of the most violent episodes in the capital in recent years. The conspiracy case remains one of the most high-profile trials arising from the incident, with several activists, students, and community leaders under investigation.

For now, Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam will continue to remain behind bars as the trial proceeds, with the judgment underscoring once again the weight courts place on national security in deciding bail applications.

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