Delhi riots case: SC defers hearing on bail pleas of Khalid, Imam, and others to October 31
Imam, Khalid, and several others were charged under the UAPA and various sections of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly orchestrating the 2020 Delhi riots. The riots, which erupted during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), claimed at least 53 lives and left over 800 people injured. The accused later approached the High Court after their bail pleas were denied by a trial court.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned to October 31 the hearing on the bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, and Meeran Haider in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case. They were accused of their alleged involvement in instigating the 2020 Delhi riots.
A Bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria deferred the matter after Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, sought additional time to file an accurate reply. While Raju requested at least two weeks to submit the response, the Apex Court scheduled the next hearing for Friday.
What did the HC say
Previously, on September 2, the lower court had rejected the bail pleas of nine accused, including Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, stating that "conspiratorial violence under the garb of demonstrations or protests by citizens cannot be permitted.”
The High Court further observed that although the Indian Constitution permits citizens to hold peaceful protests, such rights carry certain legal limitations. Under Article 19 of the Fundamental Rights, the law grants citizens the right to free speech and to hold public meetings; however, this right is "not absolute”* and is "subject to reasonable restrictions.” The court added, "If the right becomes uninhibited, it would lead to the destruction of the legal framework of the nation.”
Imam, Khalid, and several others were charged under the UAPA and various sections of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly orchestrating the 2020 Delhi riots. The riots, which erupted during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), claimed at least 53 lives and left over 800 people injured. The accused later approached the High Court after their bail pleas were denied by a trial court.