SC Postpones Bail Pleas of Umar Khalid & 3 Others in Delhi Riots Case Until Sept 19

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has adjourned the hearing of bail applications filed by Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Meeran Haider, and Gulfisha Fatima in the Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. The matters are now slated for further hearing on September 19.

The bench, consisting of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria, noted that it was not possible to take up the petitions today (September 12) as the supplementary list files were only received at 2:30am.

Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and C. U. Singh are appearing for Umar Khalid; Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi represents Gulfisha Fatima; Siddharth Dave is appearing for Sharjeel Imam.

The bail pleas are filed against a decision of the Delhi High Court on September 2, in which a division bench comprising Justices Naveen Chawla and Shalinder Kaur dismissed their applications for bail.

The four petitioners, who have been in custody for over five years, are accused under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and provisions of the Indian Penal Code. The charges relate to an alleged “larger conspiracy” behind the communal riots in Delhi during the last week of February 2020.