Delhi Court Directs Umar Khalid To Remain Confined To Home During Interim Bail Period, Prohibits Him From Speaking To Media

Granting interim bail for a week to activist Umar Khalid in the larger conspiracy case of 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, the Delhi Court has imposed stringent conditions on him - he has been restricted to his home and also prohibited from speaking to the media.

The court on Monday had granted interim bail to Khalid, who has been in custody since September 2020, to enable him attend his sister's wedding. The one week period begins on December 23 and ends on December 30. 

Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat in the order said Khalid will not talk or give any interview to any media "including the social media". 

"He shall not meet the members of the public. He will be entitled to interact with his family members, relatives and friends during the marriage ceremony but during his interim bail period, he shall remain at his home ..., except to attend marriage functions ... at the designated place," said the court.

The court also said the police may guard his home from outside but "shall not go inside the house"

It also directed Khalid to daily video call the Investigating Officer during the period of interim bail. 

"The accused Umar Khalid, upon his release, shall not get in touch with any of the witnesses nor will tamper with the evidence and will provide his mobile number to the Investigating Officer and shall keep his mobile phone open till the period of interim bail," the judge said. 

The interim bail has been made subject to furnishing of a personal bond in the sum of Rs. 25,000 each with two sureties in the like amount. 

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.