A Division Bench of the Delhi High Court had termed their role in the alleged conspiracy “grave” while rejecting bail

The Supreme Court on Friday (September 12, 2025) adjourned the hearing of bail petitions moved by student activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima and Meeran Haider in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots in Delhi.

A Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria posted the case for hearing on September 19. 

Earlier, a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur had denied bail to the accused, ruling that the riots were not “a regular protest” but a “premeditated, well-orchestrated conspiracy.”

In its order, the High Court observed: “If the exercise of an unfettered right to protest were permitted, it would damage the constitutional framework and impinge upon law and order. Conspiratorial violence under the garb of protests cannot be permitted.” The court further held that the role of the accused appeared “prima facie grave,” citing inflammatory speeches delivered to incite communal mobilisation. 

The accused have been in custody as undertrials since 2020. Their lawyers argue that the trial has been inordinately delayed and seek bail on grounds of parity with co-accused who have already secured relief.

Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita, and Asif Iqbal Tanha were granted bail in June 2021, while former Congress councillor Ishrat Jahan was released in March 2022. 

Key Updates
SC adjourns the hearing of the bail pleas to September 19
SC takes up the bail pleas for hearing
September 12, 2025 13:14
SC adjourns the hearing of the bail pleas to September 19
Supreme Court adjourns the hearing of the bail pleas of student activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima and Meeran Haider to September 19, 2025, in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots in Delhi.

“Supplementary list matters came at 2:30 at night. It will be taken on 19th”, Justice Kumar. remarks. 

September 12, 2025 13:12
SC takes up the bail pleas for hearing
A Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria begins hearing the bail pleas. 

Senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, appearing for one of the petitioners, says that he is in item 51 as it is a fresh matter. 

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal adds that he is also appearing for one of the petitioners. 

September 12, 2025 11:21
Umar Khalid’s bail plea: A timeline of court hearings and adjournments
Mr. Khalid was arrested and charged under the anti-terror legislation Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 (UAPA), on allegations of being part of a larger conspiracy responsible for the North East Delhi riots of February 2020. He subsequently moved the top court in April last year after he was denied bail by the Karkardooma Court in March 2022 and the Delhi High Court in October 2022. 

On February 14, 2024, Mr. Khalid withdrew his bail plea from the apex court citing a “change in circumstances”. This was preceded by the Supreme Court adjourning his bail hearing fourteen times since issuing notice on the plea. Mr. Khalid’s counsel informed that he would try his luck before a trial court instead.

September 12, 2025 10:42
Process as punishment: On the Umar Khalid case
The Delhi High Court’s decision to deny bail, once again, to former university scholar Umar Khalid and others in the “larger conspiracy” case relating to the 2020 Delhi riots is a grim affirmation of how special security laws, combined with a deferential judiciary, can transform pre-trial detention into extended punishment. The court’s reasoning, which held that Khalid’s five-year-long custody is not in itself sufficient grounds for bail, rests on the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Section 43D(5) of the UAPA bars bail if there are “reasonable grounds” to believe the accusations are prima facie true, a clause that judicial interpretation since the Supreme Court’s Watali (2019) judgment has hardened into a near-insurmountable barrier. By forbidding a detailed examination of evidence at the bail stage, the law effectively forces courts to accept the prosecution’s narrative.

Process as punishment: On the Umar Khalid case
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act creates a legal framework where the process itself becomes the penalty, as in Umar Khalid’s case

September 12, 2025 10:08
Umar Khalid says police ‘fabricated evidence’ to implicate him in ‘larger conspiracy’ case
Student leader Umar Khalid on Thursday claimed the Delhi police have “fabricated evidence” to implicate him in a ‘larger conspiracy’ case pertaining to the 2020 riots in north-east Delhi.

Mr. Khalid made the submission before Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of Karkardooma Courts, who is hearing the case that is at the stage of framing of charges.

Mr. Khalid’s counsel, senior advocate Trideep Pais, said the FIR lodged by the Delhi police has no basis as there is no document or witness against his client. He added that Mr. Khalid was not present during the commission of the offence for which he has been booked.

2020 riots: Umar Khalid says police ‘fabricated evidence’ to implicate him in ‘larger conspiracy’ case
Student leader Umar Khalid accuses Delhi police of fabricating evidence in 2020 riots case, claiming innocence.

September 12, 2025 10:07
Supreme Court to hear bail pleas of Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, others today
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Friday (September 12, 2025) the petitions filed by student activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima and Meeran Haider challenging a Delhi High Court order denying them bail in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots in the national capital.