Umar Khalid’s father, SQR Ilyas, said he had “nothing to say” after the Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant bail to his son in the 2020 north-east Delhi riots conspiracy case. “The judgment is before you,” Ilyas told reporters while reacting to the apex court’s decision.
The Supreme Court denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, stating that prima facie evidence exists against them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria observed that the two accused stood on a “qualitatively different footing” and played central roles in the alleged conspiracy. The court held that prolonged custody alone could not override statutory restrictions under UAPA, even as bail was granted to five other accused in the case.
