A Delhi court on Wednesday granted Umar Khalid, the former Jawaharlal Nehru University student and activist, seven days’ interim bail to attend his cousin’s wedding. The court’s decision allows Khalid a brief respite from incarceration in connection with the larger conspiracy case of the Northeast Delhi riots.
Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of Shahdara District Court approved Khalid’s release from the morning of December 28 until the evening of January 3, 2025, under a personal bond of Rs 20,000. During this period, Khalid is expected to attend several family events including a nikah and dinner at Kalindi Kunj on January 1, following pre-wedding ceremonies on December 30 and 31 at Masjid Ishaat Islam, Abul Fazal Enclave in New Delhi.
In his bail application, Khalid expressed his desire to reconnect with family members, particularly his sister who is visiting from the United States. He has agreed to confine his movements to his home and the venues of the wedding ceremonies and has committed not to attend any functions outside Delhi, such as the reception in Nagpur.
The court has stipulated that Khalid should avoid using social media and restrict his interactions to family members, relatives, and close friends during the bail period.
Khalid is one of the individuals implicated in what has been described by prosecutors as a pre-planned conspiracy that led to the violent riots in Northeast Delhi from February 23 to 25, 2020. He faces multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, Arms Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
