Delhi HC Grants Umar Khalid Three-Day Interim Bail

New Delhi, May 22: The Delhi High Court on Friday granted three-day interim bail to activist and former JNU student leader Umar Khalid in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.

Khalid, currently lodged in Tihar Jail under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, will be released on interim bail from June 1 to June 3 in view of his mother’s surgery.

The former student leader had approached the High Court seeking 15 days’ interim bail from May 22 to June 5 after a trial court rejected his plea on May 19.

In his appeal filed under the National Investigation Agency Act, Khalid sought temporary release to attend the Chehlum ceremony of his deceased maternal uncle and to assist his 62-year-old mother, who is scheduled to undergo surgery on June 2.

The plea stated that Khalid shared a close bond with his uncle and could not seek bail immediately after his death as the burial took place before legal formalities could be completed.

It further said the Chehlum ceremony marks the end of the 40-day mourning period and allows family members to gather for emotional support and closure.

Khalid also sought permission to spend time with his 87-year-old grandmother during the interim release period.

On medical grounds, the plea stated that his mother, Sabiha Khanam, has been suffering from lumps and cyst formation on her back for the past two years and was advised surgery at a private hospital after medical examination earlier this month.

The appeal said Khalid’s 71-year-old father was unable to care for her alone and noted that four of his five sisters are married and live away from the family home.

Khalid has been in custody since September 2020 in the larger conspiracy case linked to the northeast Delhi riots that followed protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The prosecution alleges the violence was part of a pre-planned conspiracy, charges denied by Khalid. (Agencies)