BREAKING: Delhi Court Grants Interim Bail To Umar Khalid For One Week

A Delhi Court on Monday granted interim bail to student activist Umar Khalid for a period of one week in the larger conspiracy case of 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. Khalid had sought the interim bail to attend his sister's marriage ceremony.

Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat passed the order but made it clear that the interim bail will remain subject to conditions. The interim bail will begin on December 23 and Khalid will have to surrender on December 30, as per the order.

#BREAKING

Delhi Court grants interim bail to Umar Khalid for one week in Delhi riots larger conspiracy case, for attending his sister's marriage. #UmarKhalid #DelhiRiots #UAPA pic.twitter.com/FLiCzHTY7E

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) December 12, 2022

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 had 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 had 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 had 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.