Delhi News: Supreme Court to Decide on Bail Plea of Delhi Riots Accused Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam

The Supreme Court of India is set to deliver its decision today on the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case, along with five other co-accused. The bench, comprising Justices Arvind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria, had reserved the judgment on December 10 after hearing arguments from both the petitioners and the Delhi Police. The accused, who have been in custody for over five years, requested bail citing the prolonged period of incarceration and the fact that the trial in the case has not yet commenced. Delhi Police opposed the plea, claiming that the accused were part of a deliberate conspiracy to incite violence, which had a nationwide impact. During hearings, the police presented video evidence allegedly linking the accused to violent incidents. The defense countered that certain portions of the videos were edited to tarnish their reputation and argued that the evidence does not conclusively establish involvement in anti-national activities. In total, seven individuals are awaiting the court’s decision on their bail applications, which had previously been rejected by the Delhi High Court. Legal experts and observers are closely watching the proceedings, as the verdict will set a precedent in cases involving prolonged custody, bail rights, and trial delays. The Supreme Court’s decision is expected around 10:35 AM today.