Staff Reporter / New Delhi
The Supreme Court today reserved its verdict on bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others in the UAPA case related to the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots in Delhi. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria heard arguments.
Strongly opposing the bail pleas, the Delhi Police had said the February 2020 riots were not something spontaneous, but an”orchestrated, pre-planned and well-designed attack on India’s sovereignty.
Umar, Sharjeel and other accused were booked under the anti-terror law, UAPA, for allegedly being the masterminds of the 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.
The violence erupted during widespread protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Petitioners for the case include Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shadab Ahmed, and Mohd Saleem Khan. The bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria heard extensive arguments from both the Delhi Police and defence for the petitioners. The accused have been in custody for over five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code.
The Court has directed all parties to submit compiled documents and materials by December 18, and a decision is expected before the winter recess begins on December 19, 2025.
Final arguments
Appearing for the accused, the defense argued that the petitioners were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest and that “unpalatable” speeches alone do not constitute a terrorist act under the UAPA.
The accused have moved the apex court challenging the Delhi High Court’s 2nd September order denying them bail in the larger conspiracy case of the riots.