The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Delhi police regarding the bail application of Umar Khalid, a former JNU student leader and an accused in the larger conspiracy related to the Delhi Riots of 2020. Khalid’s plea for bail was filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and follows the dismissal of his previous bail applications by the trial court.
The notice was issued by a division bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Girish Kathpaliya. The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for August 29, 2024.
Khalid, who has been in custody since September 2020, is facing charges related to the alleged larger conspiracy behind the Delhi Riots of 2020. His bail petition was initially rejected by the trial court, which cited a prima facie case against him as sufficient grounds for denying bail.
The Karkardooma Court in Delhi had earlier rejected Khalid’s request for regular bail on May 28, 2024. The court referred to the Delhi High Court’s earlier orders, stating that Khalid did not qualify for bail under Section 43D(5) of the UAPA, which mandates stringent conditions for granting bail in cases related to national security and terrorism.
In his order, Special Judge Sameer Bajpai highlighted that the High Court had performed a ‘surface analysis’ of the evidence against Khalid and concluded that the allegations were prima facie true. The trial court also noted that the High Court’s order had attained finality after Khalid’s withdrawal of a petition from the Supreme Court.
Khalid’s legal team has moved to the Delhi High Court seeking a reconsideration of the bail plea. They argue that the previous orders were based on a surface-level examination of the case and that Khalid’s continued incarceration is unwarranted.
The ongoing investigation into the Delhi Riots case, which includes the filing of charge sheets and supplementary charge sheets, has further complicated the legal landscape for Khalid. His bail application at the High Court marks the latest chapter in a prolonged legal battle.
Sources By Agencies
