Mon Jan 05 04:01:47 UTC 2026: Summary:

The Supreme Court is set to deliver its judgment on the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and other individuals accused of masterminding the 2020 Delhi riots. These individuals, charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, have been in prolonged incarceration for five years without trial. They are accused of orchestrating the riots, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens. The Delhi High Court had previously denied them bail in September 2025.

News Article:

Supreme Court to Rule on Bail Pleas of Umar Khalid, Others in Delhi Riots Case

New Delhi, January 5, 2026 – The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce judgment today on the bail petitions of former JNU student leader Umar Khalid and other individuals accused of being the key orchestrators behind the 2020 Delhi riots. The accused, including Gulfisha Fatima, Sharjeel Imam, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed, face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The case revolves around allegations of a “larger conspiracy” behind the riots that erupted during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The violence resulted in the deaths of 53 people and injuries to over 700.

A Bench headed by Justice Aravind Kumar had reserved its verdict in December 2025 after hearing arguments on the special leave petitions filed by the accused against a September 2025 decision by the Delhi High Court denying them bail.

The appellants have sought bail citing prolonged incarceration without trial for the past five years. They vehemently deny the charges against them.

The decision of the Supreme Court is keenly awaited, given the complexities of the case and the length of time the accused have spent in custody.

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