- Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam challenge Delhi HC bail refusal.
- Activists cite prosecution's failure to examine any witnesses.
- Supreme Court's one-year deadline for fresh bail plea expiring.
Delhi Riots Case 2020: Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, the jailed activists, have separately approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Delhi High Court's decision to not grant them bail in the Delhi riots case. In their pleas, the activists pointed out the prosecution has failed to examine even a single witness after the apex court's ruling. The plea also highlighted that the one-year deadline for filing a fresh bail plea by the Supreme Court in January this year is also about to expire.
'Not Even A Single Witness Examied'
The jailed activists highlighted that despite them being jailed for over six years now, the authorities have failed to examine even a single witness. Earlier in September, the Delhi High Court refused to grant bails to them in a case under the anti-terror law UAPA on the "larger conspiracy" behind the February 2020 riots in Delhi.
It cited a Supreme Court's order on January 5, in which the top court mentioned that the fresh bail plea can only be filed either after examination of witnesses or after a year. "We would be modifying this (Supreme Court) order if we allow bail, which we cannot do," the bench remarked.
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Why Did SC Refuse Bail?
They approached the high court after being denied bail from the trail court for third time. The trial court had also cited the Supreme Court's ruling, adding that it had no option but to follow the apex court's orders. The lawyer representing Khalid highlighted that his client had already spent six years in jail. He further stated that Khalid should be granted bail after the apex court provided relief to other accused in the case.
However, the Supreme Court pointed out that their roles were not similar to the other accused, adding that they were the "ideological drivers" of the alleged conspiracy. Khalid and Imam have been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on allegations of being one of the masterminds of the February 2020 riots that left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured.
The violence erupted during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019, and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
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