NEW DELHI — A Delhi court on Tuesday dismissed the interim bail application of jailed activist Umar Khalid, who is currently incarcerated under provisions of the anti-terror law in connection with the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai rejected the petition after hearing arguments from both sides regarding the request for temporary release.
Khalid had approached the court seeking a 15-day interim bail period to fulfill two specific family obligations. The application stated that he needed to attend the Chehlum, a traditional 40-day post-death ritual, for his late maternal uncle. Additionally, the activist sought temporary liberty to assist his mother, who is reportedly scheduled to undergo a medical surgery.
The prosecution strongly opposed the relief, leading to the court’s decision to deny the application. Khalid, along with several other co-accused, was booked by law enforcement under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Investigating agencies have alleged that the accused acted as the primary masterminds behind the large-scale communal violence that swept through northeast Delhi in February 2020.
The communal clashes, which erupted during widespread and polarized public demonstrations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), resulted in severe casualties and widespread property damage. Official records indicate that the violence left at least 53 people dead and more than 700 others injured, triggering a series of complex and prolonged legal battles that continue to move through the capital’s judicial system.
