• Source:JND

Delhi Riots Case: While denying bail to student activists Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, the Supreme Court granted bail to five others, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed, with conditions.

A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria said it "cannot treat all individuals equally" for bail, noting that the record shows the appellants do not stand on equal footing regarding culpability.

The Supreme Court emphasised that the "hierarchy of participation" requires an individual assessment of each application. "The hierarchy of participation requires the court to assess each application individually. Article 21 requires the state to justify prolonged pre-trial custody," Bar and Bench quoted the Supreme Court as saying.

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The apex court also noted that Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid cannot be given the benefit of the delay in the trial. Both activists had challenged the Delhi High Court order denying them bail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) linked to a larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots.

Delhi Riots Case

More than 50 people, primarily Muslims, were killed, and over 700 were injured during communal clashes in northeast Delhi that began on February 24, 2020. The violence which broke out amid protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) continued for several days.

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In connection with the case, 20 individuals, including Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, and former councillor Tahir Hussain, were charged for their alleged involvement in a "larger conspiracy" to incite the riots.


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