Supreme Court on Delhi Riots: Supreme Court refused to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who are accused in the Delhi riots. In this significant decision, the bench of the apex court said that bail cannot be granted solely on the basis of prolonged incarceration. The court also stated that Khalid and Imam may apply for bail again after the examination of witnesses is completed or after one year from the date of the present order.
Today, the Supreme Court heard the bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and others who were accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case. In its decision, the court said that prolonged incarceration cannot be a ground for granting bail. While refusing bail to Khalid and Imam, the court granted bail to the other accused in the case, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rahman, Mohammad Salim Khan, and Shadab Ahmed.
Delay in the Trial of a Case is Not a Ground for Granting Bail
Supreme Court bench said that in the Delhi riots case, Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam stand on a different footing compared to the other accused. The court clarified that delay in the trial cannot be used like a ‘trump card.’ Doing so carries the risk of automatically displacing statutory safeguards.
Two-Judge Bench Said that there are Serious Allegations Against Umar and Sharjeel
The court said that the charges against both under the UAPA are prima facie serious, and therefore no relief can be granted to them at this stage. The bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice N. V. Anjaria stated that the allegations against Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam are serious and that the conditions prescribed under the UAPA law are also satisfied. In such a situation, the delay in the trial cannot, for the time being, be considered a strong ground for granting bail.
Decision on Bail Had Been Reserved on December 10
It may be noted that on December 10, 2025, after hearing the bail petitions of all the accused, the apex court had reserved its decision. The court had also asked both sides to submit all documents in support of their arguments by December 18.
Umar Khalid’s Father Said, ‘I Have Nothing to Say
Regarding the Supreme Court’s rejection of bail, Umar Khalid’s father, Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, said that he has nothing to say about the denial of bail in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. He stated, ‘I have nothing to say on this, and the decision is before you.
What Did the Police Say in Court About the Accused?
Serious charges have been leveled against Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, and Rahman under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC, now known as the Indian Justice Code). The police stated that these individuals were the main conspirators behind the February 2020 violence, in which 53 people were killed and over 700 were injured. According to the police, this violence erupted during protests against the CAA and NRC, but its aim went far beyond mere protest, intending to create instability.
When Did the Violence Occur in the National Capital, Delhi?
The violence in the northeastern areas of Delhi occurred at a time when protests were ongoing in 2020 against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). During the violence and arson, 53 people lost their lives. The angry protesters had demonstrated against the central government’s decisions—the NRC and the CAA. However, according to Delhi Police, several serious allegations were made against the protesters.
