New Delhi | September 2, 2025

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday denied bail to activists and former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, along with seven other accused, in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. The order, delivered by a bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur, marks another setback for the activists whose bail pleas have been pending since 2022.

The Case and Allegations

The accused — including Khalid, Imam, Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Meeran Haider, Shadab Ahmed, Abdul Khalid Saifi, and Gulfisha Fatima — were charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Delhi Police allege that they were the “masterminds” behind the violence that erupted in northeast Delhi in February 2020, leaving more than 50 people dead and over 700 injured.

According to investigators, the violence was not spontaneous but a “well-planned conspiracy” aimed at protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in a manner that would allegedly damage India’s global image. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the prosecution, argued that the accused deliberately orchestrated unrest. “If you do anything against your nation, you better be in jail till you are acquitted,” he submitted before the bench.

Defence Arguments

The activists, however, denied all charges and described the case as politically motivated. Khalid argued that his alleged role was limited to being part of WhatsApp groups, which he said does not amount to criminality. He further highlighted that no incriminating material or financial transactions were ever recovered from him.

Imam, meanwhile, stated that he was not connected with other accused, including Khalid, and rejected allegations that his speeches incited violence. He contended that neither his public addresses nor his online communications called for unrest.

Defence lawyers also emphasized the prolonged detention of the accused. Khalid, arrested in September 2020, has already spent over four years in custody. Last year, he was granted a brief seven-day interim bail to attend a family wedding. Imam has been incarcerated since 2020 as well.

Court’s Decision

Despite these submissions, the High Court sided with the prosecution’s view that the conspiracy allegations required the accused to remain in custody until trial. The court dismissed arguments about the slow pace of proceedings, noting the seriousness of charges under UAPA.

The bail rejection follows a pattern: earlier, a separate bench had dismissed the plea of another co-accused, Tasleem Ahmed, in the same case.

Next Steps

The defence lawyers announced that they will challenge the High Court’s order before the Supreme Court, hoping for relief in what they describe as an unfairly prolonged trial.

For now, Khalid, Imam, and the others remain in jail as the conspiracy case continues. The decision highlights the deep divide in narratives around the riots — one side framing it as a sinister anti-national plot, the other as an unjust criminalization of dissent.

Delhi HC Denies Bail in 2020 Riots Conspiracy Case

The Delhi High Court has rejected the bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and seven others in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. The accused remain in custody under UAPA charges, with the court observing the seriousness of the allegations. Defense lawyers have announced they will challenge the decision in the Supreme Court. The riots in northeast Delhi left over 50 dead and hundreds injured, marking one of the darkest episodes in recent memory.