Delhi High Court: Umar Khalid's Bail Plea Under UAPA to be Heard Alongside Sharjeel Imam on August 27

• Umar Khalid's third bail plea is being heard by the Delhi High Court alongside that of co-accused Sharjeel Imam on August 27.
• The case against Khalid and others is being investigated under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
• Khalid has been accused of being one of the alleged masterminds behind the larger conspiracy relating to the February 2020 communal riots in North East Delhi.
• The joint hearing may have significant implications for both Khalid and Imam, potentially setting a precedent for future bail pleas in similar cases.

The court observed that Khalid's plea would be heard on August 27, a date already fixed for hearing Imam's bail appeal.

For the third time, Umar Khalid has sought bail in the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 North East Delhi riots. The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the police for a response on his plea, which will be heard alongside that of co-accused Sharjeel Imam on August 27. This joint hearing is significant, as it may indicate that the court is considering the two cases together. Khalid's counsel argued that this was his third bail application since his arrest in September 2020 and sought interim bail on his behalf. The court observed that Khalid's plea would be heard on August 27, a date already fixed for hearing Imam's bail appeal.

The case against Khalid is being investigated under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which has been invoked in multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. The violence that erupted in North East Delhi in February 2020 resulted in 53 lives lost and over 700 people injured. The Delhi Police Special Cell has charged several others in connection with the conspiracy case, including Khalid Saifi, who was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in May 2026, and former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, who was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in July 2026 for the murder of an Intelligence Bureau officer during the riots. The Supreme Court had granted bail to some co-accused but upheld the denial of bail to Khalid and Imam, citing a prima facie case under the UAPA.

The joint hearing on August 27 may have significant implications for both Khalid and Imam. The court's decision to hear their cases together could indicate a shift in approach or a re-evaluation of the evidence. Lawyers are watching this development closely, as it may set a precedent for future bail pleas in similar cases. The prolonged delay in the trial has already led to continued detention without commencement of trial, strengthening the claim for grant of regular bail.

Lawyers should watch for the August 27 joint hearing of Umar Khalid's and Sharjeel Imam's bail pleas, where the Delhi High Court may grant or deny bail in the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 North East Delhi riots.

Source: Original reporting via [Source]