New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday granted interim bail to Delhi riots accused Umar Khalid for attending his sister's wedding. Delhi's Karkardooma Court
granted Umar Khalid bail from December 16 to December 29. Khalid had approached the trial court seeking interim bail to attend his sister’s wedding on December 27. Khalid's counsel mentioned in the court that his younger sister Ayesha Fatima is getting married on December 27 while the pre-wedding festivities will begin from December 17 and last function on December 27. The accused counsel asked the court to grant him some time so that he can be with his family during this period as his father is 71 years old and mother is 62 years. Umar Khalid has been in custody since September 13, 2020 -- approximately 5 years and three months. The bail application also sought time from the court so that he can be with his elder sister and her children, who are settled abroad and are coming to India to attend the wedding ceremonies. Earlier, Khalid has been granted interim bail two times, his counsel mentioned saying that he didn't misuse the liberty and assured the accused he will not tamper with the evidence or influence any witness.
SC Reserves Order on Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam Bail Petitions in UAPA Case
In another development on Wednesday, the Supreme Court reserved its verdict on bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others in the UAPA case related to the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots in Delhi.
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria heard arguments from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju and senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Singhvi, Siddhartha Dave, Salman Khurshid and Sidharth Luthra.
Strongly opposing the bail pleas of activist Umar, Sharjeel and others, the Delhi Police had said the February 2020 riots were not something spontaneous, but an "orchestrated, pre-planned and well-designed" attack on India's sovereignty.
What Are The Allegations Against Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam?
Umar, Sharjeel and other accused were booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) anti-terror law and provisions of the erstwhile IPC for allegedly being the "masterminds" of the 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.
The violence erupted during widespread protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The accused have moved the apex court challenging the Delhi High Court's September 2 order denying them bail in the "larger conspiracy" case of the February 2020 riots.
