Delhi High Court on Wednesday denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the UAPA case linked to February 2020 Delhi riots.
Justices Prathiba M Singh and Dinesh Bhatt reaffirmed the Supreme Court's Jan. 5 ruling, which requires the pair to wait until protected witnesses are examined or a year from the order, whichever comes first.
The February 2020 clashes, sparked by protests against the CAA and NRC, left 53 dead and more than 700 injured, prompting the Delhi Police’s Special Cell to file the UAPA charges.
Delhi Police opposed the bail petitions, labeling Khalid and Imam as the ‘masterminds’ of the riots, while other activists such as Khalid Saifi and former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain were also booked in the conspiracy case.
The decision leaves Khalid and Imam in custody until the Supreme Court’s one‑year deadline or the completion of witness examinations, after which they may file an appeal in the High Court.