New Delhi: The Supreme Court has dismissed activist Umar Khalid’s review petition against the January 5 judgment which denied him bail in the 2020 Delhi riots case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria rejected the plea after examining the petition and related documents. The court stated that it found no valid reason to revisit its earlier decision. It also refused Khalid’s request for an open court hearing, stating that review petitions are handled in judges’ chambers as per established procedure.
The order was passed on April 16 and made public on April 20. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Khalid, had earlier requested an oral hearing on April 13. The court declined this request.
In its January ruling, the Supreme Court had denied bail to Umar Khalid and co accused Sharjeel Imam. The court held that material presented by the prosecution indicated a prima facie central role in the alleged conspiracy linked to the 2020 Delhi violence, which resulted in 56 deaths.
At the same time, the court granted bail to five other accused, including Gulfisha Fatima and Shifa ur Rehman, noting differences in the level of alleged involvement. The bench stated that their roles were limited to facilitation or participation at a different level.
The case also involves concerns over prolonged incarceration. Several accused have spent over five years in custody while awaiting trial, raising questions around the right to life and liberty under Article 21.
