New Delhi: Former JNU scholar Umar Khalid presented his arguments before the Delhi High Court on Thursday, challenging the denial of bail in the UAPA case linked to the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. His legal counsel, Senior Advocate Trideep Pais, highlighted significant gaps in evidence and inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case.
Pais argued that Khalid’s alleged involvement in the conspiracy lacked tangible proof. “There is no recovery, no physical evidence, no allegation of terrorism, and no accusations of fund-raising or procurement against him,” Pais told the bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur.
Khalid’s lawyer also pointed out that while other individuals allegedly attended the same meetings, only he and activist Sharjeel Imam were singled out for UAPA charges.
“How are we accused when others are not?” Pais questioned, emphasising the absence of clarity regarding why certain individuals were targeted.
Moreover, Pais underscored that Khalid was not present in North-East Delhi during the violence and that his Amravati speech centred on Gandhian principles of non-violence. The case, registered under FIR 59 of 2020, accuses several activists and students, including Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, and Gulfisha Fatima, of plotting the riots. While bail pleas of other accused remain pending, the court has scheduled Khalid’s next hearing for December 12. Khalid’s initial bail plea was denied in October 2022, leading him to approach the Supreme Court, where he later withdrew his petition. This marks his second bail appeal after earlier rejection by the trial court.
