New Delhi: Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, accused in the major conspiracy case of 2020 Delhi riots, did not get any major relief from the Delhi High Court on Wednesday. The High Court has rejected the bail petitions of both. Let us tell you, this is the third time when the High Court has rejected his bail plea. The bench of Justice Pratibha M Singh and Justice Amit Sharma clearly said during the hearing that they cannot change the January 5 order of the Supreme Court. The court said, "In view of the earlier order of the Supreme Court, we cannot grant bail at this time."
In fact, the Supreme Court had said in its order of January 5 that both the accused can apply for bail either after the completion of the testimony of the protected witnesses or on completion of one year of the order, whichever is earlier. The High Court said that it is bound by this order.
Case was registered under UAPA
A case has been registered against Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam under UAPA. He is accused of conspiring to commit the Delhi riots in 2020. 53 people died and more than 700 people were injured in these riots. This case is related to the violence that took place during the protests against CAA and NRC. Delhi Police opposed the bail in the High Court, calling both of them the main conspirators of the riots. Police say that their role cannot be taken lightly.
when was he arrested
In this case, Sharjeel Imam was arrested on 25 August 2020 and Umar Khalid was arrested on 13 September 2020. Since then both are in jail. Earlier on July 4, the lower court had also rejected his bail plea. The lower court had said that it had no option but to follow the order of the Supreme Court.
Let us tell you, in the same case, on January 5, the Supreme Court had granted bail to co-accused Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman and others, but had remarked that a prima facie case was made out against Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. Later on May 22, the Supreme Court granted six months interim bail to two other accused, Taslim Ahmed and Khalid Saifi.