New Delhi: Activist Umar Khalid has approached the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court rejected his bail plea in connection with the February 2020 riots case. The case is linked to an alleged conspiracy behind the violence that erupted during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens.
On September 2, the High Court denied bail to nine accused, including Khalid and fellow activist Sharjeel Imam. Others whose pleas were dismissed include Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Meeran Haider, Abdul Khalid Saifi, Gulfisha Fatima, and Shadab Ahmed. A separate bench on the same day also rejected bail to Tasleem Ahmed.
The High Court stated that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, violent demonstrations under its cover cannot be accepted. The bench stressed that public freedoms are subject to reasonable restrictions and argued that unchecked violence could harm the constitutional framework.
Sharjeel Imam and Gulfisha Fatima have already moved the Supreme Court challenging the High Court’s ruling. With Khalid’s petition now before the top court, the matter is expected to be closely followed.
Khalid, Imam, and the others face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code. The riots in 2020 resulted in 53 deaths and over 700 injuries. All accused have denied involvement. They remain in custody after both the trial court and High Court previously refused bail.
