Supreme Court Issues Notice on Bail Pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and Others in Delhi Riots Conspiracy Case

The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Central Government and Delhi Police on bail pleas filed by Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and several others accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. The accused face allegations of orchestrating large-scale violence and are booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Earlier, lower courts had denied bail citing gravity of charges and evidence allegedly linking them to conspiracy networks. The petitioners argued that they are victims of political targeting and prolonged incarceration, stressing that trials are unlikely to conclude soon. The Supreme Court’s decision to entertain their pleas indicates its willingness to revisit the balance between stringent anti-terror laws and constitutional guarantees of liberty. The case brings into focus the use of UAPA in politically sensitive prosecutions, raising questions about proportionality, evidentiary sufficiency, and pre-trial detention. By issuing notice, the Court has signaled its recognition of the liberty concerns involved while deferring substantive adjudication until detailed hearings.