Umar Khalid gets 7-day interim bail in Delhi riots case to attend family wedding

A Delhi court has granted a seven-day bail to jailed activist Umar Khalid to attend a family wedding. The former JNU scholar, who has been in custody for over four years in a UAPA case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots, will be required to surrender by January 3, 2025, Livelaw reported.   

During his interim bail, Khalid will be barred from contacting witnesses or anyone linked to the case or using social media. He may only meet family members, relatives, and friends, and he must remain at his home or at the venues of the wedding ceremonies. 

Khalid has faced multiple legal setbacks since his arrest in September 2020. His bail plea was denied by the Delhi High Court in October 2022, following which he approached the Supreme Court but later withdrew the petition. Earlier this year, his second bail plea was rejected by the trial court.  

The case, registered as FIR 59 of 2020, is being investigated by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell under the UAPA and the IPC. It alleges a larger conspiracy behind the Delhi riots and names several co-accused, including Safoora Zargar, Sharjeel Imam, and Natasha Narwal.  

Khalid’s appeal against the rejection of his second bail plea is currently pending before the Delhi High Court.  

Newslaundry had earlier reported why the hearing of Khalid’s bail plea was repeatedly adjourned. Read here.

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