HC to hear bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam in UAPA case on Nov 25
New Delhi, October 10 (KMS): The Delhi High Court will hear on November 25 the bail plea of former Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid and student activist Sharjeel Imam in a Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the two bail pleas, along with similar pleas by other co-accused in the case –‘United Against Hate’ founder Khalid Saifi and others — were on Monday listed for fresh hearing before a bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur.
The bench, however, did not assemble. The cases were earlier before a bench headed by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait but the judge was recently transferred to the Madhya Pradesh High Court as its chief justice.
Umar Khalid, a former JNU student, was arrested in September 2020 under the UAPA. His arrest was based on allegations that he made inflammatory speeches and played a significant role in orchestrating the riots. Khalid’s defense argues that the charges are politically motivated and lack substantial evidence, asserting that his speeches were aimed at peaceful protests and dissent rather than incitement to violence.
Sharjeel Imam, another activist and student leader, was arrested shortly after Khalid. He faces similar accusations of inciting violence through his speeches and social media posts. Imam’s defense claims that his remarks have been taken out of context, emphasizing his intention to advocate for civil rights and not to promote communal discord.
The 2020 riots resulted in at least 53 deaths and left hundreds injured, marking one of the worst instances of communal violence in recent Indian history. The incidents raised significant concerns about religious tensions in India and the treatment of dissent in a democratic society.
The upcoming hearings in the High Court will focus on the legal merits of the charges against Khalid and Imam, as well as the broader implications of their cases for freedom of expression and civil liberties in India.
