Supreme Court to hear Delhi riots conspiracy bail pleas

The Supreme Court is slated to resume hearing on Monday the bail pleas of student leaders Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, and other activists accused in the alleged “larger conspiracy” behind the 2020 North East Delhi riots.

They remain behind bars under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). As per the cause list published on the website of the apex court, a Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria will continue hearing the submissions



of co-accused Meeran Haider, Mohd Saleem Khan, and Shifa Ur Rehman, and the Delhi Police on November 3.

In an earlier hearing, appearing for Umar Khalid, senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that the prosecution had consistently delayed the trial and was now attempting to shift the blame on the accused. “They say it is me who is taking time and delaying the case whereas the fact says otherwise,” Sibal argued. “Out of 751 FIRs related to the riots, Khalid was named in only one.