The Delhi High Court on September 30, 2026, rejected the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the case concerning the alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 North-East Delhi riots.
A Division Bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Dinesh Bhatt dismissed their appeals against the trial court’s decision to deny them regular bail. The case is being investigated under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Supreme Court Directions Key to the Decision
The High Court’s decision was closely linked to an earlier Supreme Court order from January 2026. The apex court had rejected the bail pleas of Khalid and Imam but allowed them to renew their requests after the examination of protected witnesses or after one year from the order, whichever came earlier.
The Delhi High Court said it was bound by the Supreme Court’s directions and could not modify the conditions attached to the earlier decision.
Arguments Over Delay in Trial
Khalid and Imam had challenged the trial court’s July 4, 2026 decision refusing their bail. Their lawyers pointed to the continued incarceration and the pace of proceedings, arguing that developments since the Supreme Court’s January order constituted a change in circumstances.
The pleas also referred to bail granted to other accused in the case and a subsequent Supreme Court judgment in a separate matter. However, the High Court held that the circumstances and roles attributed to those accused were different and therefore could not automatically establish parity.
What the Court Decided
The High Court concluded that the trial court had not erred in refusing bail in light of the Supreme Court’s directions. It therefore dismissed both appeals.
The ruling does not determine the final outcome of the underlying criminal case. The proceedings concerning the allegations in FIR 59/2020 continue before the appropriate courts.
Background of the Case
The case stems from the violence that occurred in North-East Delhi in February 2020. Delhi Police’s Special Cell registered FIR 59/2020 concerning an alleged larger conspiracy connected with the riots.
The proceedings have involved several accused and have generated multiple bail proceedings before the trial court, Delhi High Court and Supreme Court.
The latest Delhi High Court ruling keeps the focus on the Supreme Court’s January 2026 directions and the next stages of the ongoing proceedings.