Delhi High Court Reserves Order on Imam, Khalid Bail Pleas

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its order on the bail petitions filed by activists Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid and several co-accused in the case alleging a larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 communal riots in the capital. All are charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for purportedly orchestrating violence that left 53 people dead and hundreds injured. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi Police, urged the court to deny bail, arguing that the protest leaders conspired to tarnish India’s global image and that prolonged pre-trial detention alone is not a sufficient ground for release. The defence countered that the accused have been in custody for more than four years without trial. The court did not specify a date for pronouncing its ruling.