In a significant development in the legal proceedings surrounding the February 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, the Delhi High Court on Thursday granted bail to accused Salim Malik. Malik, who has been in custody since June 2020, was charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the “larger conspiracy” behind the communal violence.
The ruling was delivered by a division bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Madhu Jain. The High Court’s decision came on Malik’s appeal challenging a trial court order from January 29, which had previously denied him bail in the case.
Defense Cites Parity with Co-Accused
During the proceedings, counsel representing Malik argued that their client was entitled to relief based on the principle of parity. The defense highlighted that the Supreme Court had recently granted bail to other identically-placed co-accused in the same conspiracy case, specifically Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmed.
The prosecution has alleged that Malik was one of the “masterminds” behind the February 2020 riots. Malik is identified as one of 11 alleged organizers and speakers at an anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) meeting held prior to the violence.
The communal clashes, which erupted during intense protests against the CAA, 2019 and the NRC, claimed 53 lives and left more than 700 people injured in the northeastern parts of the capital.
The Shifting Legal Landscape of the Conspiracy Case
Thursday’s decision follows a series of pivotal rulings from higher courts regarding the 2020 conspiracy case.
On January 5, the Supreme Court of India granted bail to five key accused in the case:
- Gulfisha Fatima
- Meeran Haider
- Shifa Ur Rehman
- Mohammad Saleem Khan
- Shadab Ahmad
However, the apex court drew a clear distinction among the individuals charged, denying bail to high-profile activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. The top court clarified that all the accused in the conspiracy case do not stand on the same legal footing.
The legal journey for the accused has been marked by differing judicial assessments. Prior to the Supreme Court’s January interventions, a Delhi High Court bench consisting of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur had denied bail to Imam, Khalid, Haider, and other co-accused on September 2, 2025.
With Malik’s release now sanctioned by the High Court, the legal focus shifts back to the trial court as proceedings continue for the remaining accused in the complex conspiracy case.
