New Delhi July 21: On Monday, the Delhi High Court is set to hear the bail plea of former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid in a case involving allegations of a larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots in the city. The plea challenges a recent trial court decision that denied Khalid bail, and will be reviewed by a bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma, according to reports citing PTI.
Khalid, along with Sharjeel Imam and others, has been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code for allegedly orchestrating the February 2020 riots, which resulted in 53 deaths and over 700 injuries. The violence erupted amid protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Arrested in September 2020, Khalid has had his bail plea rejected twice. The trial court dismissed his most recent application on May 28, stating that the earlier order denying bail had become final. The court emphasized that it could not re-evaluate the facts of the case to grant the requested relief.
In October 2022, the Delhi High Court upheld the trial court’s decision, deeming the police’s allegations against Khalid as prima facie true. The High Court noted that the anti-CAA protests had escalated into violent riots, which appeared to be orchestrated at conspiratorial meetings, with witness statements indicating Khalid’s active involvement.
The upcoming hearing will determine whether Khalid’s plea for bail will be granted, marking a significant moment in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the February 2020 riots.
