Court Rejects Bail for Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam

A Delhi Court has denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the ongoing case concerning the 2020 Delhi riots. The Additional Sessions Judge at Karkardooma Courts ruled that the bail applications were not maintainable, citing existing Supreme Court orders that mandate specific conditions before such petitions can be renewed.

The ruling follows a complex procedural history where the Supreme Court previously denied bail to both individuals but questioned the consistency of earlier rulings. While a coordinate division bench had referred a conflict regarding UAPA bail norms to a larger bench, the lower court determined it must adhere to the higher court's specific instruction. This instruction limits new bail applications until protected witnesses are examined or one year has passed since the initial denial.

The defense argued that both individuals have endured significant time in custody, with trial proceedings facing substantial delays. Advocates for both Khalid and Imam highlighted that other co-accused have received relief, suggesting a disparity in the treatment of their petitions. However, the prosecution maintained that the legal embargo remains firmly in place, and the court found no immediate grounds to bypass these standing judicial directives.