A Delhi court on Thursday granted interim bail to activist Umar Khalid, who is accused of being part of a “larger conspiracy” behind the 2020 Delhi riots, Live Law reported.
Khalid was granted bail from December 16 to December 29 to attend his sister’s wedding, which is scheduled for December 27, Bar and Bench reported.
He was arrested by the Delhi Police on September 13, 2020. He was granted similar interim bails in December 2022 and December 2024.
The activist has been booked under an Unlawful Activities Prevention Act case pertaining to clashes that had broken out in February 2020 among supporters of the Citizenship Amendment Act and those opposing it in North East Delhi. The violence had left 53 dead and hundreds injured. Most of those killed were Muslims.
The Delhi Police claim the violence was part of a larger conspiracy to defame Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and was hatched by those who organised the protests, including Khalid, against the amended Citizenship Act.
On Thursday, Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of Karkardooma Courts directed the activist to furnish a personal bond of Rs 20,000 and two sureties of a similar amount.
He was also directed not to contact any witness or person related to the case. “During the interim bail period, the applicant shall not use social media,” read the bail order.
During the bail period, Khalid will only be allowed to meet his family members, relatives and friends. “Further, he shall remain at his home or at the places where the ceremonies of marriage as mentioned by him will take place,” the court said.
The Delhi Police had alleged that the protesters against the Citizenship Amendment Act had secessionist motives and were using “the facade of civil disobedience” to destabilise the government. The police had arrested several activists and students, including Khalid, based on these conspiracy charges.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court reserved its verdict on bail applications filed by Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Athar Khan, Abdul Khalid Saifi, Muhammad Saleem Khan, Shifa-ur-Rehman and Shadab Ahmed.
They had jointly challenged the Delhi High Court’s September 2 judgement dismissing their bail petitions.
The Supreme Court said that it would decide the matter before it closes for winter break on December 19. The court also directed all parties to compile and submit relevant documents before December 18.
Also read: India’s prisoners of conscience and the politics of waiting
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