Delhi Riots: Court Reserves Order On Umar Khalid's Plea Seeking Interim Bail In UAPA Case

A Delhi Court on Wednesday reserved its order on the plea moved by student activist Umar Khalid for interim bail for two weeks in the larger conspiracy case of 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. Khalid has sought the interim bail to attend his sister's marriage ceremony.

Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat will pronounce the order on Monday.

Senior Advocate Trideep Pais represented Khalid whereas Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad appeared for Delhi Police.

The FIR 59/2020 being probed by Delhi Police's Special Cell invokes various charges under different provisions of Indian Penal Code as well as the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 against the accused persons.

Opposing Khalid's application, Delhi Police claimed that he is "likely to spread misinformation by use of social media" during his release and is also "likely to cause unrest in the society."

Stating that Khalid's parents are capable of making all necessary arrangements as his mother is running a boutique and father is heading a political party, the Delhi Police said:

"The release of applicant is further opposed as he is very likely to spread misinformation by use of social media during his interim bail period which cannot be prevented and is likely to cause unrest in the society. He may also influence witnesses."

Khalid has been in custody since September 2020. He was denied bail by a special bench of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar on October 18.

While denying him bail, the High Court observed that Khalid's name finds a recurring mention in the chargesheet from the beginning of the conspiracy behind the 2020 protests till the culmination of ensuing riots.

The court also noted that Khalid was a member of WhatsApp groups like DPSG and Muslim students of JNU and had also participated in various meetings, wherein the alleged conspiracy to commit the riots took place.