Delhi court rejects Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam bail again citing Supreme Court order

The order means Khalid and Imam will remain in judicial custody, though they can challenge the trial court's decision before a higher court.

A Delhi court has rejected the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 riots larger conspiracy case. The judge stated the court must adhere to a Supreme Court ruling from January 5, 2026, which had previously dismissed their bail petitions. The court found no grounds to reconsider the matter, citing the apex court's prior decision.

New Delhi, July 4, 2026: A Delhi court on Saturday rejected the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.Khalid and Imam had sought bail, arguing that their continued incarceration without the commencement of trial violated their fundamental right to personal liberty. The Delhi Police opposed the pleas.Court Cites Supreme Court OrderAdditional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of Karkardooma Courts dismissed the applications, observing that the judgment in the cases of Gulfisha Fatima and Syed Iftikhar Andrabi had already been referred to a larger Bench. According to Live Law, the court said that unless the issue is settled, it cannot consider the bail applications of Khalid and Imam on any ground.The judge also said he had no option but to follow the Supreme Court judgment denying bail to the two.The court further noted that the Supreme Court had stated that only after the examination of the protected witnesses is completed or upon the expiry of one year from the date of its order, whichever is earlier, Imam and Khalid would be at liberty to renew their prayer for the grant of bail.“Thus, following the said order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, this Court cannot entertain the applications and grant bail to the applicants. Infact the applications are not maintainable and they are hereby dismissed,” the court said, according to the report.Accused Cite Delay In TrialKhalid and Imam have been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on allegations that they were the "masterminds" behind the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.According to a PTI report, Khalid argued that although the Supreme Court had rejected his bail plea on January 5, subsequent judicial developments amounted to a "change in circumstances", making his fresh application maintainable.Also Watch: 2020 Riots Case: Delhi High Court Grants Umar Khalid 3-Day Interim Bail For Mother’s SurgeryIn his application, Imam said there had been no "significant development" in the proceedings even six months after the Supreme Court denied him bail. He also contended that he has remained in custody for nearly six years without trial and that charges are yet to be framed in the case.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

A court here on Saturday rejected the bail applications of student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the larger-conspiracy case linked to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, saying it had "no option but to follow" the Supreme Court's January 5 order and, therefore, could neither entertain the pleas nor grant them the relief. Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai said the bail pleas are not even maintainable in the trial court. The judge said, "This court has no option but to follow the judgment dated January 5, 2026, as passed by the Supreme Court, whereby the petitions of both the applicants were dismissed. Following the said order of the Supreme Court, this court cannot entertain the applications and grant bail to the applicants. In fact, the applications are not maintainable and they are hereby dismissed." The court said although the applicants had argued that there was a change in circumstances following a division bench judgment of the top court in the case of Syed ...

The bench held that it was bound by the SC’s January order, which said that they said they could file fresh pleas after a year or examination of all witnesses.

A Delhi court has denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in connection with the 2020 northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case. The judge rejected their pleas, citing the Supreme Court's earlier denial and the ongoing nature of the investigation. Both activists argued their prolonged detention without trial violated their fundamental rights, but the court did not find sufficient grounds for release at this stage.