The Supreme Court on May 18 sought a response from the Delhi Police on a plea for bail filed by former JNU student Umar Khalid in a UAPA case linked to the February 2020 riots in the National Capital.
Issuing notice, a Bench led by Justice S. Bopanna listed the case for hearing after six weeks.
Khalid, represented by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, has been in custody for over two years. Mr. Sibal said he wanted to brief the court on certain facts, but the Bench told him to wait till the Delhi Police filed its reply by the next hearing.
Also read: Delhi HC rejects bail of Umar Khalid in 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case
Delhi HC rejected plea in October
Khalid has been accused of being part of a “larger conspiracy” behind the communal violence. The Delhi High Court, in October last year, refused to grant bail to Khalid, saying he was in constant touch with other co-accused, and allegations against him were prima facie true.
The High Court had said the acts of the accused prima facie qualified as “terrorist act” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court had said the anti-CAA protests “metamorphosed into violent riots”, which “prima facie seemed to be orchestrated at the conspiratorial meetings”, and the statements of the witnesses indicated Khalid’s “active involvement” in the protests.
Published - May 18, 2023 12:33 pm IST