Delhi HC denies bail to anti-CAA activist Athar Khan
New Delhi : The Delhi High Court has dismissed the bail plea of anti-Citizenship Amendment Act activist Athar Khan in the 2020 North-East Delhi violence “larger conspiracy” case registered under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a Division Bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Madhu Jain upheld the trial court’s January 29 order denying him bail, citing flight risk based on statements of protected witnesses.
Khan, a resident of Chand Bagh, completed six years in jail on July 2, 2026. He was arrested by Delhi Police on July 2, 2020, and has remained in custody since then under the UAPA.
His counsel had sought bail. The court had earlier observed that Khan’s WhatsApp chats prima facie indicated his involvement.
Rights observers noted that Khan’s continued incarceration despite six years without trial reflects a pattern of selective justice, where Muslim activists booked under UAPA face prolonged detention while the judiciary delays framing of charges, raising serious concerns over due process and equality before law.
