December 18, 2024: A Delhi court has granted former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid a seven-day interim bail, allowing him to attend a wedding in his family. The bail is part of the ongoing investigation into the 2020 Delhi riots, where Khalid faces charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with an alleged larger conspiracy that fueled the violent disturbances.
The court has approved the bail from December 28 to January 3. Although Khalid had initially requested a 10-day bail, the court limited the period to seven days while imposing certain conditions. Khalid has been in custody since his arrest on September 14, 2020, accused of masterminding the violence during the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Northeast Delhi.
The riots, which erupted in February 2020, led to the deaths of 53 people and injuries to over 700. Khalid has been charged with playing a significant role in organizing and inciting the violence, which prosecutors claim was part of a larger conspiracy to destabilize the country.
Delhi Police had opposed Khalid's bail application, alleging that he had used his influence to amplify the anti-CAA narrative, messaging public figures to further his cause. This claim is part of the larger investigation into the riots, which the police argue was not a spontaneous outbreak of violence but a planned and orchestrated effort.
Despite his repeated bail applications, Khalid’s request for regular bail has been rejected twice. On May 28, the trial court dismissed his plea for the second time, citing the finality of its earlier order. Furthermore, on October 18, 2022, the Delhi High Court upheld the trial court’s decision, noting that there was a prima facie case against Khalid. The High Court described the protests, which had initially begun peacefully, as having “metamorphosed into violent riots,” and suggested that they were orchestrated through conspiratorial meetings. Khalid's active involvement was inferred from witness statements, according to the court.
Khalid’s legal team has expressed the hope that this limited relief may pave the way for future hearings on his case.