Umar Khalid seeks review of bail denial in Delhi riots case
Legal experts expert decry bias in framing, deciding of cases against Muslims
New Delhi: Umar Khalid, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, has moved the Indian Supreme Court seeking a review of its January 5 order denying him bail.
Senior counsel Kapil Sibal requested an open court hearing, citing exceptional circumstances. The Supreme Court had dismissed Khalid’s bail plea. However, it granted bail to five other accused.
Khalid has been in jail since September 13, 2020, on charges of delivering provocative speeches during anti-CAA protests.
The February 2020 Delhi riots, which occurred during US President Donald Trump’s visit, claimed 53 lives and left over 700 injured. The violence erupted during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Legal experts have expressed concern about bias in the framing and deciding of cases, especially in the case of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. The two activists, who are Muslim, have been in jail for over five years without trial. Critics argue that the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is being misused to target Muslim activists and suppress dissent.
