Big relief signal for Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam? Supreme Court questions earlier bail denial

The apex court reaffirmed the principle that “bail is the rule and jail is the exception” even in cases registered under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Court questions dilution of precedent

A bench comprising Justices B. V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that the previous judgement denying bail appeared to dilute the binding precedent laid down by a larger bench in the landmark Union of India vs KA Najeeb case.

“They cannot dilute, circumvent or disregard binding precedent,” Justice Bhuyan said, as quoted by NDTV.

Earlier bail plea was rejected

In January this year, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N. V. Anjaria had rejected the bail pleas of Khalid and Imam.

The court had then cited material on record indicating their alleged involvement in a criminal conspiracy and said it was satisfied with the prosecution’s submissions suggesting a prima facie case against the two accused.

Delhi riots conspiracy case

Khalid and Imam are accused under the UAPA in connection with the alleged “larger conspiracy” behind the communal violence that erupted in Northeast Delhi during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act protests.

The accused had approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court order denying them bail and later filed special leave petitions against the decision.

The apex court had reserved its verdict on December 10, 2025.

2020 Delhi violence

The violence had broken out in the national capital during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), leaving 53 people dead and more than 700 injured.