Supreme Court adjourns hearing in 2020 Delhi riots bail case after police seek time.
New Delhi
The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing on the bail pleas of former JNU students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, along with other accused in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case, to October 31. The Bench, comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria, refused to grant Delhi Police two additional weeks to file their response and instead directed them to be ready by the next hearing.
During the brief proceedings, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, sought time to submit a counter-affidavit. The court, however, noted that sufficient opportunity had already been granted since the previous notice issued on September 22.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Imam and other petitioners, opposed further delays, arguing that the accused had already spent over five years in custody without the trial making significant progress.
“Many of the accused are students who have been in jail for years. There should not be further delay,” Singhvi told the court.
Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for their alleged involvement in the conspiracy behind the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, which resulted in 53 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
Imam was arrested in January 2020 from Bihar’s Jehanabad for allegedly making inflammatory speeches, while Khalid was arrested in September 2020 for alleged conspiracy and incitement. Both have consistently denied the charges, asserting that their participation in anti-CAA protests was peaceful.
The Supreme Court will now hear the matter on October 31, directing the Delhi Police to file its response by then.
