Delhi High Court Seeks Response on Umar Khalid's Third Bail Petition in Delhi Riots Conspiracy Case

The Delhi High Court on Friday issued a notice on a plea filed by activist and former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) scholar Umar Khalid, who is challenging a trial court's decision rejecting his third application for regular bail in the alleged larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. A division bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Vikas Mahajan also issued notice on Khalid's request for interim bail. Both the regular bail appeal and the interim bail application have been scheduled for hearing on August 27.

Representing Khalid, senior advocate Trideep Pais argued that the appeal contests the July 4 order of the Karkardooma trial court, which had dismissed his latest bail request. The Delhi Police was represented by Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju. Khalid has sought interim bail until the Supreme Court decides an important legal question regarding whether prolonged imprisonment and delays in trial proceedings can outweigh the stringent bail restrictions under Section 43D(5) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

In his appeal, Khalid stated that although the Supreme Court had rejected his previous bail plea on January 5, 2026, more than six months have passed without significant progress in the trial. He pointed out that arguments on framing charges are still underway and noted that he has remained in judicial custody since September 2020.

On July 4, Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai had dismissed the regular bail applications of both Umar Khalid and co-accused Sharjeel Imam. The trial court ruled that the fresh pleas were not maintainable because the Supreme Court had earlier allowed them to seek bail again only after the examination of protected prosecution witnesses or after one year, whichever occurred first.

The prosecution opposed the applications, maintaining that there had been no substantial change in circumstances since the apex court's previous order. The case stems from FIR No. 59/2020, registered by the Delhi Police Special Cell in connection with the alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 North-East Delhi riots. The matter remains at the stage of arguments on framing charges, with formal charges yet to be framed. The Delhi High Court has also fixed August 27 for hearing the bail appeal filed by co-accused Sharjeel Imam against the trial court's order rejecting his bail application.