Fri Sep 12 11:33:09 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Delhi Riots Case: Supreme Court Adjourns Bail Hearing for Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid**
**New Delhi, September 12, 2025** – The Supreme Court today adjourned the hearing on the bail pleas of student activist Sharjeel Imam, former JNU scholar Umar Khalid, and other accused in the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots, to September 19.
A Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria cited late receipt of case files as the reason for the postponement, stating that they received the documents after midnight.
Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Kapil Sibal, representing Imam and Khalid respectively, argued that the petitions challenge a previous Delhi High Court verdict denying bail to several accused, including Gulfisha Fatima, Khalid Saifi, and others.
The High Court had deemed that the accused played “prima facie grave” roles in the conspiracy, accepting the prosecution’s argument that the riots were a “premeditated, well-orchestrated conspiracy” rather than a regular protest. The court also stated that the riots were deliberately timed to coincide with the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The accused face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and provisions of the Indian Penal Code. The Delhi Police, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad, claim the activists were the “masterminds” behind the violence, which resulted in 53 deaths and over 700 injuries.
Mr. Imam, arrested on January 28, 2020, and Mr. Khalid, arrested on September 13, 2020, have both argued for bail citing prolonged incarceration and systemic delays in the trial. They contend that their continued detention violates their right to liberty and have sought bail on grounds of parity with co-accused already released, such as Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita, Asif Iqbal Tanha, and Ishrat Jahan.
The 2020 Delhi riots broke out during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the proposed National Register of Citizens.
**Original Text Summary:**
The Supreme Court adjourned the bail hearing for Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, and others accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case due to late receipt of case files. The accused are challenging a Delhi High Court verdict denying them bail, which had deemed their role in the riots as part of a premeditated conspiracy. The accused face charges under UAPA and IPC. They have argued for bail citing prolonged incarceration and parity with others already released. The case relates to the 2020 Delhi riots during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
First Piper 