Delhi court reserves order on Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam bail in riots case

A Delhi court has reserved its order on the fresh bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 riots conspiracy case. The applications argue the trial has seen little progress as both men complete about six years in jail.

In Short

• Fresh pleas cite little trial progress since Supreme Court refusal in January
• Both accused have said they have spent around six years in jail
• Karkardooma Court heard submissions from both sides before closing proceedings

A Delhi court on Friday reserved its order on the second bail pleas filed by Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the larger criminal conspiracy case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots, after completing arguments from both sides. The fresh applications argue that despite the Supreme Court rejecting their earlier bail pleas, there has been little progress in the trial over the past six months, while both accused have now spent around six years in jail.

The hearing took place before the Karkardooma Court, which concluded proceedings before reserving its verdict on the applications.

This is the second time Khalid and Imam have sought bail in the case. Their earlier pleas were dismissed by the Supreme Court on January 5 this year.

In their fresh applications, the two accused have argued that there has been no significant progress in the proceedings even six months after the Supreme Court's decision. They have also pointed out that they have remained behind bars for the past six years while the trial continues.

During the previous hearing, the court had issued notices to the Delhi Police and sought its response to the fresh bail pleas.

After hearing submissions from both sides, the Karkardooma Court completed the proceedings and reserved its order. The date for pronouncement of the verdict is yet to be announced.

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