Delhi Riots: Umar Khalid Moves Trial Court Seeking Interim Bail In UAPA Case To Attend Sister's Wedding

After being denied regular bail by Delhi High Court last month, student activist Umar Khalid has moved city's Karkardooma court seeking interim bail for two weeks in the larger conspiracy case of 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. According to sources, Khalid has sought the interim bail to attend his sister's marriage ceremony. 

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.

Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat issued notice on a fresh application moved by Khalid under section 439 of Cr.P.C, while posting the same for arguments on November 25.

"Let reply be filed by the prosecution after verification of contents mentioned in the application. Put up for filing of reply and arguments on the interim bail application of applicant/accused Umar Khalid on 25.11.2022," the court said in its order passed on November 18.

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 Umar Khalid's name finds a recurring mention 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.

The bench had further said that the allegations against Khalid were prima facie true, clarifying that the observations was only for the limited purpose of bail.