Umar Khalid Gets 7-Day Bail in Delhi Riots Case

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. A Delhi court granted Umar Khalid, former JNU student, a seven-day interim bail.
2. The bail allows him to attend a wedding within his family.
3. Umar Khalid was arrested on September 14, 2020, under the UAPA.
4. Delhi Police opposed his bail plea, but the court granted conditional relief.
5. He is accused of conspiracy in the 2020 Delhi riots case.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Umar Khalid Granted Interim Bail
A Delhi court on Wednesday granted former JNU student Umar Khalid a seven-day interim bail in connection to the 2020 Delhi riots case. The interim bail was granted to allow him to attend a wedding in his family. Khalid is permitted to be out from December 28 to January 3. While Khalid had requested for a 10-day interim bail, the court granted him a seven-day bail with some conditions. This decision provides a temporary reprieve amidst his legal battle.

Arrest and Allegations
Umar Khalid has been in custody since his arrest by Delhi Police on September 14, 2020, under the UAPA. He is accused of being part of a larger conspiracy behind the Northeast Delhi riots of February 2020. The riots resulted in the deaths of 53 people and injuries to over 700. The violence erupted during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The ongoing legal proceedings highlight the complexities of the case.

Police Opposition
Delhi Police opposed Umar Khalid’s bail application. They allege that Khalid messaged actors and politicians in an effort to amplify his narrative as part of a larger conspiracy. Police have accused Khalid of inciting violence and playing a pivotal role in the riots. The opposition to his bail application underscores the seriousness of the charges against him.

Previous Bail Rejections
On May 28, the trial court had rejected Khalid’s regular bail plea for the second time. The court stated that its prior order dismissing his first bail application had attained finality. On October 18, 2022, the Delhi High Court upheld the dismissal of the first bail plea. The High Court also noted that the city police’s allegations against him are prima facie true. The series of rejections showcase the legal challenges Khalid faces.

High Court Observations
The High Court had observed that the anti-CAA protests “metamorphosed into violent riots.” The court also stated that these riots “prima facie seemed to be orchestrated at the conspiratorial meetings,” and witness statements indicate Khalid’s “active involvement” in the protests. The court’s observations and the evidence presented strongly indicate Khalid’s involvement in the alleged conspiracy. The current seven-day interim bail provides a temporary pause but does not change the ongoing trial and investigation. This matter concerning Umar Khalid and the 2020 Delhi riots remains a prominent case in the Indian legal system.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

Umar Khalid has been granted a seven-day interim bail for a family wedding in the Delhi riots case. He was arrested under UAPA, accused of conspiring in the 2020 Delhi riots. Despite police opposition, the court granted conditional bail.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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