The Supreme Court on January 54 2026, denied bail to activist Umar Khalid and former JNU student leader Sharjeel Imam in connection with the Delhi riots conspiracy case.
A bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi dismissed the bail pleas, observing that the charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were serious and required trial proceedings to continue without interim relief.
Khalid and Imam have been accused of playing a role in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots, which claimed over 50 lives and left hundreds injured.
The court noted that the evidence presented by the prosecution, including communications and witness statements, warranted further examination during trial and did not justify bail at this stage.
The decision marks a significant development in the high-profile case, which has drawn national and international attention over issues of free speech, dissent, and the application of anti-terror laws.
