By: The Trek News Desk
The Supreme Court has refused to grant bail to activists Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid in a case linked to the alleged “larger conspiracy” behind the February 2020 Delhi riots. The case has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
A Bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice N.V. Anjaria observed that the allegations against Imam and Khalid are of a serious nature and place them on a footing distinct from other accused persons. The court held that their alleged roles appear to be more significant, and on this basis, declined to extend bail at this stage.
At the same time, the apex court granted relief to five other co-accused in the same case, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad. The court noted that the nature of the allegations against them was different and comparatively less grave, warranting a separate consideration.
The Supreme Court had reserved its verdict on December 10, 2025, after hearing petitions challenging a September 2 order of the Delhi High Court, which had denied bail to all the accused. In its ruling, the High Court had stated that the right to protest cannot be absolute if it disrupts public order, and that the material on record prima facie indicated a coordinated conspiracy behind the riots, which claimed 53 lives and left hundreds injured.
During the hearing, senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, appearing for Gulfisha Fatima, argued that keeping an undertrial woman in custody for nearly six years served no public interest. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioners, described such prolonged detention as equivalent to punishment before conviction.
Opposing the bail pleas, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, submitted that the scale, preparation and intent of the violence showed it went far beyond protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. According to the prosecution, the unrest was part of a well-planned conspiracy aimed at destabilising the government.
With this decision, the Supreme Court has offered relief to some accused while maintaining a firm stance against granting bail to those it considers key figures in the alleged conspiracy.
Source: News Agencies
