The Delhi High Court on September 2, 2025, rejected the bail pleas of student activists and political figures Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, along with several other accused persons in the 2020 Delhi riots ‘larger conspiracy’ case. The court’s decision came after prolonged hearings, where the prosecution argued that the riots were pre-meditated acts of violence rather than spontaneous outbursts.

The bench, comprising Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Shalinder Kaur, announced its verdict while dismissing bail applications filed by Khalid, Imam, Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Meeran Haider, Abdul Khalid Saifi, and Gulfisha Fatima.

Background of the case

The February 2020 Delhi riots erupted during widespread protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The violence led to the deaths of 53 people and injuries to over 700 individuals, making it one of the deadliest communal clashes in the capital in recent times. Properties were damaged, homes and shops were set ablaze, and tensions ran high for weeks.

According to the prosecution, the riots were not accidental but were part of a “larger conspiracy” allegedly masterminded by Khalid, Imam, and others. Authorities claimed the violence was carefully planned with the intention of disrupting law and order in the city, especially in sensitive areas where protests were being staged.

Charges under UAPA and IPC

The accused were booked under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including sections relating to rioting, criminal conspiracy, and unlawful assembly. Additionally, they face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a stringent anti-terror law that makes securing bail significantly harder due to the requirement of proving prima facie innocence before release.

The prosecution stressed that the accused used protest platforms as cover for inciting violence and mobilizing people. The alleged motive, as claimed by investigators, was to internationalize the protests and project India negatively on the global stage.

Court’s observations and prosecution’s stance

While rejecting the bail pleas, the Delhi High Court noted that the nature of evidence and the seriousness of the allegations warranted continued custody of the accused. The prosecution highlighted intercepted communications, meeting records, and alleged links between various protest sites to argue that the violence had been coordinated in advance.

The court’s order aligns with earlier positions taken in related hearings, where bail for several co-accused had also been denied on the grounds of prima facie evidence of conspiracy.

Defence arguments

On the other hand, the defence for Khalid, Imam, and others argued that they were being targeted for their political dissent and participation in democratic protests. Their counsel stated that the case was built largely on fabricated evidence and unreliable testimonies, and that prolonged incarceration without trial amounted to a violation of their fundamental rights.

Despite these arguments, the High Court sided with the prosecution, citing the gravity of charges under UAPA.

Wider implications

The denial of bail once again brings into focus the debate surrounding the use of UAPA in cases of civil unrest. Critics argue that its stringent provisions often result in activists and protestors being jailed for long durations without trial, raising questions of civil liberties.

The 2020 Delhi riots continue to be a politically sensitive issue, tied closely to the polarizing debates over CAA and NRC, which triggered protests across India. With key accused like Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam remaining in custody, the case will likely continue to shape discourse around protest rights, state response, and judicial interpretation of anti-terror laws.

Conclusion

The Delhi High Court’s decision to reject bail for Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and others marks a significant development in the larger conspiracy case of the 2020 Delhi riots. With over 53 lives lost and hundreds injured, the case remains one of the most consequential legal proceedings in India’s recent history. While the prosecution maintains its stance on premeditated conspiracy, the defence continues to push the narrative of political targeting. The coming months will be crucial as trials progress and the courts examine the extent of culpability of the accused.

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