Notices Issued; Matter Listed for October 7
The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices on the bail pleas of Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, Meeran Haider, and Gulfisha Fatima, all accused in the 2020 Delhi riots “larger conspiracy” case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria sought responses from the Delhi Police and posted the matter for October 7.
Arguments Before the Court
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the activists have been languishing in jail for over five years. He also pressed for interim bail pending final adjudication.
The bench remarked that the Supreme Court would seek to expeditiously dispose of the main matter itself.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal urged for an earlier hearing, requesting:
“(List) before Diwali, so that they can be out by Diwali. They have all been there for more than five years.”
Delhi High Court’s Earlier Observations
The bail pleas follow the Delhi High Court’s September 2 order, which denied relief to several student leaders. A bench of Justices Shalinder Kaur and Navin Chawla observed that there was prima facie material suggesting Imam and Khalid were central to the alleged conspiracy.
The High Court cited prosecution claims that both had delivered inflammatory speeches on February 24, 2020, coinciding with the visit of then U.S. President Donald Trump, allegedly timed to incite riots and attract global attention.
In relation to Meeran Haider, the court noted allegations that she provided funds to the Alumni Association of Jamia Millia Islamia (AAJMI), where coordination meetings were held.
The prosecution also alleged that Gulfisha Fatima used coded language to mobilise protesters and received funds to further the alleged conspiracy.
Background: The 2020 Delhi Riots
The February 2020 riots broke out amid protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). The violence left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.
