India’s judiciary under scrutiny as Umar Khalid marks 1500 days in jail
New Delhi: Umar Khalid, a PhD scholar and activist, has spent 1,500 days in Tihar jail without trial since his arrest in September 2020.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Umar Khalid is facing detention under the concocted charge of being the “key conspirator” in the 2020 Delhi riots, following protests against anti-Muslim Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens.
Khalid’s prolonged detention without bail has raised concerns among activists, lawyers and citizens. Banojyotsna Lahiri, Khalid’s partner, highlighted the significance of 1,500 days, stating it’s a timeframe sufficient to complete graduation, gain work experience or conclude scientific experiments.
Contrasting Khalid’s situation, Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal and AAP leader Satyendar Jain were granted bail after spending over two years in Tihar jail for separate cases. A top BJP leader emphasized that “bail is the rule, not exception,” underscoring the disparity in Khalid’s treatment.
Khalid’s bail applications have been rejected 14 times, with a sessions court denying him bail twice and the Delhi High Court once. His appeal in the Supreme Court remains pending since April 6, 2023.
Lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan termed the charges against Khalid “demonstrably absurd,” while activist Kavita Krishnan described his denial of bail and trial as a “test of democracy”.
The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) has been invoked against Khalid, making bail challenging. Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra pointed out the perceived bias, stating, “If I were a Muslim, I would have been in jail like Umar Khalid and others”.
Khalid’s case has sparked debate about the Indian judiciary’s handling of dissent and terrorism accusations. With his trial yet to begin, concerns surrounding his prolonged detention without bail continue to grow.
