The Delhi High Court on Friday issued a notice to the Delhi Police regarding a fresh bail application submitted by activist Umar Khalid in connection with the alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 communal violence in north-east Delhi.
A division bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan instructed the prosecution to submit its official response within two weeks.
Two-Week Deadline Set For Police Stand
The court scheduled the next hearing for August 27, aligning the proceedings with a related bail plea filed by co-accused Sharjeel Imam. Addressing the bench, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the Delhi Police, noted that both Khalid and Imam had their bail applications rejected through the same trial court ruling, making a consolidated hearing appropriate.
Legal counsel representing Khalid informed the court that this submission represents the activist’s third bail application since his initial detention. The counsel added that Khalid is also seeking interim bail alongside his primary application.
The current petition challenges a July 4 trial court ruling that dismissed his plea. In that decision, the lower court stated it was legally bound to adhere to a January 5 directive from the Supreme Court, which precluded it from entertaining or granting the relief requested.
Background Of Allegations And Legal Journey
Khalid was taken into custody in September 2020 under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Investigators allege that he served as one of the key strategists behind the February 2020 riots, which flared up during widespread demonstrations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens. The resulting violence in north-east Delhi claimed 53 lives and left more than 700 individuals injured.
The larger conspiracy case, which remains under investigation by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police, also names several other prominent figures, including Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, and former Aam Aadmi Party councillor Tahir Hussain.
Previous Judicial Orders And Case Context
Khalid’s application follows a complex judicial history. A division bench of the Delhi High Court previously denied him bail on September 2, 2025. While the Supreme Court subsequently affirmed that rejection on January 5, the apex court granted bail to five co-accused individuals: Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohammad Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmad.
In that January 5 ruling, a Supreme Court bench consisting of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria observed that a prima facie case under the UAPA existed against both Khalid and Imam. The apex court determined that the accused could not be granted uniform relief due to differing levels within the established hierarchy of participation.
