The Delhi High Court on Friday granted jailed student activist Umar Khalid three days of interim bail in the alleged larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
A division bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain allowed Khalid temporary release from June 1 to June 3 to enable him to be with his mother, who is scheduled to undergo surgery on June 2.
The court took what it described as an “empathetic view” of the matter and granted relief on humanitarian grounds. While allowing the plea, the bench said interim bail was being granted “in order to enable the appellant to spend time with his mother.”
Khalid had approached the High Court after a Delhi trial court rejected his interim bail plea on May 19. He had initially sought 15 days of interim bail to attend the Chehlum ceremony of his late uncle and to care for his ailing mother before and after her surgery.
Court Rejects Chehlum Ground, Allows Bail for Mother’s Surgery
During the hearing, Khalid’s counsel, Senior Advocate Trideep Pais, argued that the activist had previously been granted interim bail on multiple occasions, including for his sister’s wedding, and had complied with all conditions and surrendered on time.
Opposing the plea, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, argued that Khalid’s mother was undergoing only a minor procedure and said other family members, including his sisters and father, could take care of her. The prosecution also suggested that Khalid could briefly visit his mother under police escort if necessary.
However, the High Court partially accepted Khalid’s request and granted him limited relief.
Strict Bail Conditions Imposed
The court directed that Khalid would be released only for three days and remain in constant touch with the investigating officer. It also said he would be allowed to keep only one mobile phone during the interim bail period. Detailed conditions are expected in the final order.
Earlier, the trial court had dismissed Khalid’s plea, saying attendance at his uncle’s Chehlum ceremony was “not that necessary” and observing that other family members could assist his mother during surgery.
Khalid has been in custody since September 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other charges in the alleged conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi riots.
The case stems from FIR 59/2020, in which Delhi Police accused several student activists and protest organisers of conspiring in the violence that erupted in Northeast Delhi in February 2020 during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court declined bail to Khalid and co-accused Sharjeel Imam, citing prima facie material under the stringent provisions of the UAPA.
