Delhi Court Issues Notice to Police on Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam Bail Pleas in 2020 Riots Conspiracy Case

June 13, 2026 : A Delhi court on Saturday issued notice to the Delhi Police on regular bail applications filed by Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, both accused under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 4.

Vacation Judge Dr. Sumedh Kumar Sethi of the Karkardooma Courts sought a response from the Delhi Police while hearing the fresh bail petitions filed by the two accused.

The applications have been moved after a coordinate Bench of the Supreme Court recently raised questions over the legal interpretation adopted in earlier judgments that denied bail to Khalid and Imam. The apex court is currently examining the principles governing bail under the UAPA, particularly in cases involving prolonged incarceration and delays in trial proceedings.

In his plea, Sharjeel Imam argued that more than six months have passed since the Supreme Court refused him bail, yet there has been no meaningful progress in the trial. He submitted that arguments on charges are still incomplete and that he has remained in custody for nearly six years in connection with the case.

The case stems from FIR No. 59 of 2020, registered by the Delhi Police Special Cell on March 6, 2020. The FIR invoked several provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, along with sections of the UAPA, in connection with the communal violence that erupted in North-East Delhi in February 2020.

According to the prosecution, the accused were part of a larger conspiracy that allegedly culminated in the riots, which resulted in deaths, injuries, and extensive damage to property. The accused have consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that they have been falsely implicated.

The proceedings come amid an ongoing national debate over prolonged pre-trial detention in UAPA cases. The Supreme Court has recently expressed concern over delays in the commencement and completion of trials under the anti-terror law and is examining the extent to which constitutional guarantees of personal liberty and speedy trial should influence decisions on bail.

Apart from Khalid and Imam, the Delhi Police has named former Aam Aadmi Party councillor Tahir Hussain, Khalid Saifi, Ishrat Jahan, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, Shifa-Ur-Rehman, Asif Iqbal Tanha, Shadab Ahmed, Tasleem Ahmed, Saleem Malik, Mohammad Saleem Khan, Athar Khan, Safoora Zargar, Faizan Khan and Natasha Narwal as accused in FIR No. 59 of 2020.