New Delhi: The Delhi High Court granted three days of interim bail to activist and former Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Umar Khalid in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. The relief covers the period from June 1 to June 3.
Khalid approached the high court after a trial court rejected his request for temporary release on May 19. He had sought 15 days of interim bail from May 22 to June 5. His plea cited his mother’s scheduled surgery and the Chehlum ceremony of his deceased maternal uncle.
According to the petition, Khalid’s mother, Sabiha Khanam, has suffered from lumps and cyst formation on her back for two years. Doctors advised lump excision surgery earlier this month. Khalid informed the court that his 71 year old father could not manage her care alone. He stated that, as the eldest child and only son, he wanted to support his mother before and after the procedure.
Khalid also challenged the trial court’s observations regarding family support. He argued that his bond with his late maternal uncle remained close and stated his wish to spend time with his 87 year old grandmother during the mourning period.
The prosecution opposed the plea and described the surgery as a minor procedure. Prosecutors also argued that other relatives were available to assist the family.
Khalid informed the court that he received interim bail earlier in 2022, 2024 and 2025 for family matters and complied with all bail conditions.
Khalid remains in custody since September 2020 in the larger conspiracy case linked to the northeast Delhi riots. He has denied the allegations against him.
