Tue Jan 06 06:22:02 UTC 2026: # Supreme Court of India Upholds UAPA, Splits Verdict on Delhi Riots Accused

The Story:
On January 6, 2026, the Supreme Court of India delivered a split verdict regarding the bail petitions of individuals accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case. Applying the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the court categorized the accused based on their “hierarchy of participation.” Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam were denied bail, while Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed were granted bail under strict conditions.

Key Points:

  • The Supreme Court used the UAPA to assess the roles of the accused in the 2020 Delhi riots.
  • Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam were denied bail.
  • Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed were granted conditional bail.
  • The court based its decisions on the “hierarchy of participation” of each accused individual.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Supreme Court’s application of the UAPA remains a contentious issue in cases involving alleged unlawful activities.
  • The varying outcomes for individuals accused in the same event underscore the complexities of assigning responsibility and determining the severity of involvement.
  • The ruling highlights the ongoing legal proceedings related to the 2020 Delhi riots, which remain a significant point of contention in Indian society.

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