Activist Umar Khalid, one of the key accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), returned to Tihar Jail after completing a three-day interim bail granted by the Delhi High Court.
Khalid was granted temporary bail from June 1 to June 3 to attend to his mother’s medical needs, including assisting her during surgery. After the completion of the bail period, he surrendered and went back to prison on time.
Bail Granted for Family Medical Emergency
The Delhi High Court had allowed Khalid interim bail for three days so that he could be with his mother during her treatment and surgery.
Khalid, who has been in custody since September 2020 in the Delhi riots “larger conspiracy” case, has spent most of the time in jail except for a few short interim bail or parole releases granted in special circumstances.
Umar Khalid attended to his mother after her surgery. He got 3 days of interim bail to look after his mother. He has been in jail for more than 5 years without trial. pic.twitter.com/BuxJC2wtTG
— Kaushik Raj (@kaushikrj6) June 4, 2026Also ReadMP University Named After Freedom Fighter Barkatullah To Be Renamed ‘Vagdevi Bhojpal University’
The court had earlier observed that attending family ceremonies like funerals does not automatically qualify as an urgent ground for bail, but allowed limited relief in this case due to his mother’s medical condition.
Viral T-Shirt Message Sparks Online Debate
During his release period, Khalid was seen wearing a T-shirt carrying the famous quote:
“You can cage the singer, but not the song.”
The line, originally attributed to American singer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte, quickly went viral on social media after his images circulated online.
Many users described the message as a “symbol of resistance,” while others criticized it, saying it was a political statement linked to an ongoing criminal case.
Back to Jail After Bail Ends
After the three-day interim bail ended on June 3, Khalid returned to Tihar Jail as required by court orders. He has not been convicted in the case but remains under custody while the trial continues.
Khalid has previously sought interim relief on multiple occasions, citing medical and personal emergencies within his family. In this case, he had requested a longer 15-day bail period, but the court granted only three days.
Delhi Riots Case Background
Umar Khalid has been charged under the UAPA in connection with the February 2020 Delhi riots, which left over 50 people dead and caused widespread violence in the capital.
The prosecution has alleged a larger conspiracy behind the riots, while the accused, including Khalid, have denied all charges and claimed they are being targeted for their political views.
