Rejection of bail to Umar Khalid, others slammed as mockery of justice
Case exposes systemic bias against Muslim voices, argue rights defenders
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court’s rejection of bail to student leaders Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and eight others in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case has sparked outrage among rights groups, political parties, and civil society, who termed it a travesty of justice.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a bench of Justices Naveen Chawla and Shalinder Kaur dismissed the bail pleas under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), keeping the accused imprisoned for over five years without trial. Actor-activist Prakash Raj denounced the ruling as a “mockery of justice,” while Umar Khalid’s mother vowed to continue the legal battle in the Supreme Court, insisting on her son’s innocence.
The CPI-M Polit Bureau also deplored the decision, calling it “deeply disturbing” that charges had not even been framed after five years. It said denial of bail contradicted the principle that bail is the rule and jail the exception, highlighting that while BJP leaders accused of incendiary speeches roam free, Muslim activists continue to languish behind bars.
Rights defenders argue the case exposes systemic bias against Muslim voices of dissent, as Hindu mob violence cases from the same riots remain unaddressed. The families of the accused and their supporters insist the conspiracy charges are politically motivated and aimed at silencing criticism of the government’s discriminatory policies.
