Umar Khalid Seeks Bail Once More from Delhi High Court
Umar Khalid has returned to the Delhi High Court with a renewed plea for bail in the ongoing Delhi Riots conspiracy case. The hearing is scheduled for July 31, before a bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan.
In his latest application, Khalid is not only seeking bail but also asking for interim relief until the Supreme Court decides on a pivotal question. This question pertains to the application of Article 21, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, against the stringent bail restrictions imposed by Section 43D(5) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Challenging the Trial Court’s Decision
Khalid’s current appeal arises from the trial court’s ruling on July 4, which denied his bail plea. The trial court cited adherence to the Supreme Court’s earlier decision from January 2026, which had dismissed bail pleas from Khalid and co-accused Sharjeel Imam. The trial court emphasized its obligation to abide by the higher court’s ruling.
The Supreme Court’s decision had outlined specific conditions under which Khalid and Imam could renew their bail applications. According to the Supreme Court, only after the completion of the testimony of protected witnesses or the passage of one year from the order date—whichever comes first—could they request bail again. Thus, the trial court found no grounds to entertain Khalid’s bail application.
Awaiting Supreme Court’s Reassessment
Khalid’s legal team has highlighted that despite more than six months passing since the Supreme Court’s order, there has been negligible progress in the trial, with fundamental arguments yet to be completed. Khalid has been in detention for nearly six years concerning this case.
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The Supreme Court has since indicated that a larger bench will revisit the principles surrounding bail under UAPA, particularly when trial proceedings face significant delays. This development raises the possibility that the legal landscape for UAPA bail applications might soon change, potentially impacting Khalid’s case.
