A bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Prasanna B Varale, which denied bail to Umar Khalid in January, observed that a bench of similar strength could not have expressed exception to the order.

A Supreme Court bench referred its earlier ruling that denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam to a larger bench.

The Supreme Court on Monday, May 18, expressed strong disapproval of a January 2026 judgment that had denied bail to activist Umar Khalid and Sharjeel