Delhi HC Lists Khalid, Imam Bail Pleas September 30
Delhi HC Lists Khalid, Imam Bail Pleas September 30
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Key Points
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The fresh High Court pleas followed a trial court’s third rejection of Khalid and Imam’s bail applications on July 4.
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Imam was arrested on August 25, 2020, while Khalid was arrested on September 13, 2020; both have remained accused in the case since then.
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Police have argued that Khalid and Imam cannot claim bail on parity with other accused who received relief, saying the Supreme Court had characterised them as having “command authority” and risk profiles warranting continued detention.
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The High Court also deferred former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain’s bail plea in the same case, listing it for hearing in November; activist Khalid Saifi is among the other accused named in the alleged conspiracy case.
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The prosecution’s case is being investigated by the Delhi Police Special Cell, which has relied on the alleged broader conspiracy involving multiple accused rather than treating the violence as isolated incidents.
The Delhi High Court has postponed bail hearings for activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam until September 30. Both face anti-terror charges tied to the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots, which killed 53 people and injured over 700. Tribune India reported that police oppose their bail, calling them alleged masterminds of a larger conspiracy.
The delay came after Delhi Police requested a postponement, citing health issues for a key government lawyer. Khalid was arrested in September 2020 and Imam in August 2020. They have now sought bail from the High Court after a trial court rejected their pleas three times, most recently on July 4.
Riot Violence Sparked Massive Detention Cases
The February 2020 riots erupted during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the proposed National Register of Citizens. The violence killed 53 people and left more than 700 injured, making it one of Delhi's worst communal clashes in recent years. Dozens of activists and alleged organizers were arrested afterward.
Khalid and Imam became key figures in the investigation. Police claimed they played command roles in orchestrating the violence. Millennium Post noted that both men have remained in detention as the case dragged through courts. Their arrest dates — Imam on August 25, 2020, and Khalid on September 13, 2020 — show how quickly authorities moved after the riots ended.
Police Oppose Bail, Citing Command Authority
Delhi Police strongly opposes bail for both activists. Prosecutors argue that Khalid and Imam held "command authority" in the alleged conspiracy. Police say they cannot be released on parity with other accused who received relief, since the Supreme Court flagged their special risk profile.
The prosecution relies on a broader conspiracy theory rather than treating the riots as spontaneous violence. The Delhi Police Special Cell has built its case on evidence it says links multiple accused to planned coordination. Officials contend that fresh bail pleas were filed prematurely, before conditions set by the Supreme Court for renewing applications were met.
Other Accused Also Await High Court Decisions
Khalid and Imam are not alone in fighting for bail in this case. FirstIndia reported that former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain had his bail plea deferred to November. Activist Khalid Saifi is another prominent accused named in the alleged conspiracy case. The staggered court calendar suggests the case will take months to resolve.
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