[Delhi Riot] Delhi Court Directs Jail Superintendent To Allow Umar Khalid To Move Freely Out Of His Cell And Provide Him Books, Warm Clothes As Required

Khalid's request seeking for books and warm clothes in wake of the impending winter season was also allowed by the Court.

The directions were given in the course of a hearing of an Application by Delhi Police which sought for extension of remand of Khalid by a period of 30 days. The same was allowed by the Court and the judicial remand has been extended till 20^th November, 2020.

In the previous hearing, Khalid had been produced virtually before the Court and had informed the learned Judge Randhir Jaswal that the jail authorities were not allowing him to step out of his jail and it was akin to solitary confinement. Accordingly, the Judge had sought for the appearance of the Jail Superintendent.

In today's hearing, the Superintendent informed the Court that rules and regulations were being followed and that Khalid was not being confined to his cell in the garb of security being provided to him.

Advocate Trideep Pais, appearing on behalf of Khalid, submitted to the Court that Khalid was being treated as a zoo animal on display where others could see him and he could see others, but not be allowed to venture out of his cell.

"COVID-19 is for everybody. Umar Khalid is not to be treated with any discrimination and that is what is happening here. Is he a zoo animal on display that others can see him and he can see them? Why can't he be treated as a normal person?", stated Pais.

The Judge then enquired from the Superintendent the timings pertaining to cells being open, to which he was informed that from sunrise to 12 and then from 3 to sunset, the cells were kept open.

Khalid was then asked whether he was allowed out of his cell to which he submitted, "After I brought the grievance before the Court, I was allowed outside. The Superintendent came to meet me and himself brought me out. But, before that, there were long periods when I was not allowed out. There was in fact an order which stated that I would not be allowed at all. But after yesterday, things have gotten better".

He also informed the Court that the Superintendent had insured that he would be allowed out for some time as the reaction of other prisoners need to be gauged.

The Judge, after noting this, asked the Superintendent to personally take a stock of the situation and to ensure that the same was not repeated. He stated that the would pass an Order binding the Superintendent to his submissions of today.

Khalid also made a request for books and for warm clothes, and the same was allowed by the Court.