Delhi HC adjourns Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam bail pleas to September 30

The Delhi High Court on Monday (September 21, 2026) adjourned to September 30 the hearing of bail pleas filed by former JNU scholar Umar Khalid and activist Sharjeel Imam in the case alleging a larger conspiracy behind the 2020 North-East Delhi riots.

A Bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Dinesh Bhatt deferred the proceedings after the prosecution sought an adjournment, informing the court that Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju — appearing for the State — was unwell.

Mr. Khalid and Mr. Imam have moved the High Court challenging a trial court order dated July 4, 2026, which rejected their applications for bail.

Mr. Khalid was arrested in September 2020, and Mr. Imam was arrested on August 25, 2020. Both have been arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in relation to the February 2020 riots that left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured.

Khalid Saifi and former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, among others, were also booked for their alleged involvement in the larger conspiracy case, which is being investigated by Delhi Police’s Special Cell.

The case pertains to allegations of a larger conspiracy behind the communal violence that broke out in parts of North-East Delhi in February 2020. The prosecution has invoked provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, as well as offences under the Indian Penal Code.

The trial court had dismissed the bail applications of Mr. Khalid and Mr. Imam, holding that it was bound by the Supreme Court’s January 5, 2026, order, which had imposed certain conditions on the consideration of their pleas.

The Supreme Court had rejected the bail pleas of the two and expressly directed that the applicants could renew their bail requests only after the protected witnesses in the case were examined or upon the expiry of one year from January 5, 2026, whichever was earlier.