The Supreme Court has rejected the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in a UAPA case related to the 2020 Delhi riots. The court stated that their roles were serious and distinct. Five other accused were granted bail with strict conditions.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has denied bail to student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in a significant UAPA case connected to the 2020 Delhi riots. The court stated that sufficient evidence exists to implicate both in criminal conspiracy, making them ineligible for bail. However, five other accused – Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohammad Salim Khan, and Shadab Ahmed – have been granted bail in the same case.
The Supreme Court's Reasoning
The Supreme Court bench clarified that bail cannot be uniform for all accused. The court stated that the roles of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam were different and more serious compared to the other accused. Therefore, granting them bail solely on that basis would not be justifiable. The Supreme Court also noted that bail does not imply that the allegations are weak or unfounded.
Police Claim: A Pre-Planned Conspiracy
Delhi Police informed the court that the events were not a result of spontaneous protests. It was a pan-India conspiracy aimed at disrupting the stability of the state and creating economic disruption. Police allege that the protests were presented as peaceful opposition, but the actual motive was to destabilize the government and attract international media attention.
Conspiracy Linked to Trump's Visit
Investigation agencies informed the Supreme Court that the conspiracy was planned to be executed during the visit of US President Donald Trump to India. According to the police, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was deliberately used as an issue to amplify the protests in front of international media. Officials stated that the plan was meticulously crafted.
Who Received Bail
The Supreme Court granted bail to five other accused in the case. These include Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohammad Salim Khan, and Shadab Ahmed. All of these accused had challenged the Delhi High Court's order denying them bail in the Supreme Court.
Court's Order
The Supreme Court bench delivered its verdict after reading a lengthy order. The court stated that sufficient facts and evidence exist against Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam confirming their involvement in the conspiracy. The court also emphasized that the delay in trial cannot be the sole basis for granting bail.
Strictness Under UAPA Law
The anti-terrorism law UAPA has been invoked in this case. The Supreme Court stated that bail cannot be granted simply because the trial is pending in cases involving national security. The court clarified that the decision on bail should be based on the role of each accused and the seriousness of their actions.
The Supreme Court also explained that the decision to grant bail cannot be taken solely in the context of an individual's freedom. Considering national security and social stability, the court must ensure that no accused influences the judicial process. This requires a high level of investigation and analysis of all aspects of the conspiracy.
