The Supreme Court of India on Monday (5 January 2025) refused to grant bail to former student leaders Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. After this decision came to light, discussion about the news started in the media of neighboring country Pakistan also. This issue has been prominently published by Pakistani newspaper The Dawn. He wrote, ‘The Supreme Court said in its order that staying in jail for a long time cannot in itself be a basis for bail. Umar Khalid has been in jail for more than five years and is accused of conspiring in the 2020 Delhi riots.

Umar Khalid, 38, was arrested in September 2020 under UAPA (stringent anti-terrorism law). Since his arrest, he has been under continuous detention, although he was allowed to attend family weddings for some time.

The matter is related to Delhi riots

This case is related to the Delhi communal riots of February 2020, in which 53 people died. Police allege that Umar Khalid gave inflammatory speeches before the riots and was involved in the conspiracy of violence. Many serious sections have been imposed on Umar Khalid. The Supreme Court also refused to grant bail to student leader Sharjeel Imam in the same case. However, the court has granted bail to 5 other accused in the same case.

Displeasure of human rights organizations

The case of Omar Khalid has also been a matter of concern for international human rights organizations. Seven organizations, including Amnesty International, had issued a statement in support of him in September and demanded his release. Amnesty had said that the long imprisonment of Omar Khalid raises serious questions on the justice system in India and it is against international human rights principles.

Also associated with CAA protests

Umar Khalid’s arrest came a few months after major protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). This law, brought in 2019, facilitates granting citizenship to non-Muslim minorities of three neighboring countries, but keeps Muslims out of it. In 2022, Umar Khalid wrote an open letter from jail, in which he said that we can be kept in jail for years without proving that we have committed any crime.

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Delhi CM Rekha Gupta welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to deny bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. He said that those who pushed the city into the fire of violence should get the harshest punishment. The Supreme Court on Monday (05 January) clearly refused to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the Delhi riots case. However, the court gave relief to five other accused in this case and granted bail.

CM Rekha Gupta said, “The bail of 2020 Delhi riots accused Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam was rejected by the Supreme Court.” We welcome the decision of the Honorable Court. Those people who pushed Delhi into riots should get the harshest punishment. A strong message should also be given to those political parties who supported such rioters, they too deserve punishment.

We welcome the decision of the Honorable Supreme Court to reject the bail pleas of Delhi riots accused Sharjeel Imam and Omar Khalid.

Those who set Delhi into riots should be given the harshest punishment.

Along with this, the political parties which… pic.twitter.com/ht1VIYPpgs

— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) January 5, 2026

What did Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra say?

Delhi Law Minister Kapil Mishra also gave his reaction on this. He said, “The Supreme Court’s decision has confirmed that the riots were the result of a well-planned conspiracy. Today’s decision once again proves that a deliberate conspiracy was hatched against the people of Delhi. This decision gives a clear message that such conspiracies will not be tolerated.

Court’s order will become an example- Ashish Sood

Meanwhile, Delhi Government Home Minister Ashish Sood said, “The court’s order will set an example for those working against the country.” There is nothing wrong in opposing the government, but opposing the country is a different thing. It is unfortunate that some people show sympathy towards those accused of working against the country.

Rioters should be given strict punishment – ​​Manjinder Singh Sirsa

Along with this, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa in Rekha Gupta’s government said that the rioters should be given strict punishment. He thanked the Supreme Court for giving a strong message. The minister said, “Nobody has the right to create unrest or take lives of innocent people. Such decisions can help prevent violence in the future. In February 2020, 53 people were killed and more than 700 were injured in the riots in North-East Delhi.

Delhi riots accused Meeran Haider said on Monday (November 3, 2025) that the Citizenship Amendment Act of 2020 (CAA) Sharjeel Imam should not have been allowed to go to the protest sites during the protest movement. He said that even at that time he had specifically raised objection regarding this. Meeran Haider gave this argument for bail. He said that he was not involved in any conspiracy of the riots because he himself was objecting to the presence of Sharjeel Imam, so how could he be a part of any conspiracy.

According to Bar and Bench report, Meeran Haider said that accusing him of Sharjeel Involved in the conspiracy of riots with the Imam is wrong. Delhi riots in the year 2020 in the Supreme Court the accused Sharjeel Imam, Omar Khalid, Meeran Haider and Gulfisha fatima The hearing on the bail petitions has been going on since last week. justice Arvind Kumar and justice NV Anjariya to the bench of Meeran Haider’s Advocate Siddharth agarwal Said that his client himself visited the protest sites Sharjeel If questions were raised on the presence of the Imam, then how can he be accused of being involved in a conspiracy.

He said, ,Allegation that I (Haider) Sharjeel Was involved in a conspiracy with the Imam. I have a Tweet did that to this man, whose name Sharjeel Imam is, should not be allowed to go to the protest sites. Where these riots took place cctv footage I am also not visible anywhere., petitioner Counsel for also said that the prosecution Chandbagh of secret Even in the photo shared of the meeting, Haider is not there.

Meeran Appeared on behalf of the prosecution on these arguments of Haider solicitor General Tushar Mehta Said that the person present in the picture is not visible properly. Meeran Haider’s lawyer also said that charge sheet me too Chandbagh His client’s name is not known regarding the meeting. only age in it Khalid And Sharjeel The name of the Imam is.

in the year 2020 CAA There were demonstrations in different parts of the country against this. During this time violence broke out in Delhi. Sharjeel Imam, Omar Khalid, Meeran Haider and Gulfisha fatima But there have been allegations of conspiring to riot. Delhi Police has told the Supreme Court in its affidavit that these riots did not happen suddenly, but it was a well-planned conspiracy. Police say that these riots were used for change of power at the Centre. planning Was done.

Delhi Police in Supreme Court affidavit It has been filed and claimed that the Delhi riots of 2020 were a conspiracy for change of power. age Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha fatima and others of Delhi riots the accused The police have made this claim while opposing the bail.

Delhi Police said that under this conspiracy, an attempt was made to spread violence across the country, which also included states like Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Kerala and Karnataka. He said that Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam were its conspirators, who worked to instigate the people. In February 2020, violence broke out during protests in Delhi against the Citizenship Amendment Act, in which 53 people died and hundreds were injured.

From Delhi Police solicitor General Tushar MehtaAdvocate Rajat Nair And Dhruv Pandey is presenting. affidavit It was said that the 2020 riots planning us President donald Trump The visit was made with a view to attract international media attention, tarnish the country’s image and show the world that Citizenship amendment Act (CAA) Muslims are being targeted in the country through this. In this case all the accused But unlawful Activities off prevention Act ,UAPA) Allegations have been made. This is about Donald Trump’s last tenure.

Police Said that violence did not erupt suddenly in Delhi in February 2020but was a planned attempt to destabilize India’s internal harmony and international prestige. He said that it CAA India’s integrity and sovereignty But there was a conspiracy to attack.

According to media reports, Delhi Police affidavit Said that investigators eyewitnesses statement of, documents And technical evidence has been found, which shows that this was a well-planned conspiracy, whose timing It was already decided. Police said the attack was deliberate Trump at the time of India’s visit Plan done so that CAA Internationally Become a topic of discussion and the image of India can be tarnished.

Delhi Police also says that Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Meeran Haider and Gulfisha fatima Deliberately postponing the hearing. He said that the accused are repeatedly filing false petitions so that the hearing of the case can be postponed. This is like obstructing the justice process. Now the Supreme Court will hear this affidavit of the police on October 31.

Rouse Avenue Court on Kapil Mishra: Delhi Law Minister Kapil Mishra has suffered a setback from the Rouse Avenue Court. The court has directed further investigation against Minister Kapil Mishra regarding the alleged role in North East Delhi riots. The court accepted the application to register an FIR against Kapil Mishra. The court has asked the Delhi Police to register an FIR in the case and further investigate.

The Rouse Avenue Court has given this order on the application seeking to register an FIR against Kapil Mishra in a case related to Delhi riots. A person named Mohammad Ilyas has demanded to register an FIR against Kapil Mishra and others in Delhi riots.

What did Rouse Avenue Court say?

The Rouse Avenue Court said, “The presence based on the material presented by the Delhi Police was in the area of ​​Kardam Puri and it has been found a cognizable offense, which should be investigated.”

Delhi Police opposed FIR

However, Delhi Police had opposed the demand for registering an FIR against Kapil Mishra. Delhi Police had claimed that a conspiracy was being hatched to trap Kapil Mishra.

What did Mohammad Ilyas claim in the petition?

In this petition filed in August 2024, Mohammad Ilyas has claimed that on 23 February 2020, he saw Kapil Mishra and his associates blocking a road in Kardampuri. During this time, he also saw the vehicles of the hawker tracks breaking. On the occasion, the then North East Deputy Police Commissioner and other Delhi Police officers were standing next to Kapil Mishra. Kapil Mishra had threatened the protesters to vacate the place or suffer the consequences.

Delhi news: The bail plea of ​​Khalid Saifi, accused in the ‘conspiracy’ case of 2020 Delhi riots, was strongly debated. Senior advocate Rebecca John appeared in the High Court on behalf of Khalid. He said that protesting in democracy cannot be terrorism. Justice Naveen Chawla and Shalinder Kaur were hearing on bail.

Rebecca John said, “If I join any performance in places like Jantar Mantar or Gandhi Peace Foundation, does it mean that I am plotting.” He said that it is the right of every citizen to protest and it is against the basic principles of justice to present it as a crime.

Khalid Saifi’s strong debate on bail

Rebecca John argued that no weapon was recovered from Khalid Saifi. No illegal funding was found. Nevertheless, he has been kept in jail for five years. He raised the question that when the Delhi Police did not find any concrete evidence against Khalid, then why delay in granting bail. The court was told that Khalid Saifi was on a wheelchair in the first appearance. He had plaster on his body. Rebecca John said that wheelchair and plaster shows what happened in custody with Khalid Saifi. Is it not enough to shock the court conscience?

‘Is it a crime to disagree with the government?’

Khalid Saifi’s lawyer said that if a WhatsApp chat or conversation is with the prosecution, it should be proved in the case. But it is not right to keep someone in jail for years by applying UAPA. He questioned whether it has now become a crime to disagree with the government in democracy. Explain that the High Court is hearing the bail petitions of other accused including Umar Khalid, Shajil Imam, Mohammad Salim Khan, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Shadab Ahmed, Atar Khan, Khalid Saifi and Gulfisha Fatima in the Delhi riot case. The next hearing will be held on 16 April.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlsmsqdvkx4

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