The Delhi High Court is set to hear a bail appeal filed by former JNU student Umar Khalid in the alleged larger conspiracy case connected with the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. Khalid has challenged the trial court’s order rejecting his third regular bail application.
The appeal assails the July 4 order passed by the Karkardooma Court, which held that Khalid’s fresh bail plea was not maintainable in view of the Supreme Court’s earlier directions in the matter.
The trial court observed that the Supreme Court, while rejecting Khalid’s bail plea in January 2026, had granted him liberty to seek bail afresh only after the examination of 50 additional prosecution witnesses or upon completion of one year, whichever was earlier. Holding that neither of these conditions had been fulfilled, the court declined to entertain the application.
The case arises out of FIR No. 59 of 2020, registered by the Delhi Police Special Cell under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA). The prosecution alleges that Khalid was among the conspirators who orchestrated the violence that erupted in North-East Delhi in February 2020.
Khalid has been in judicial custody since September 2020. His previous applications for regular bail have been rejected by the trial court, the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court.
By way of the present appeal, Khalid has sought setting aside of the trial court’s order and grant of regular bail. The Delhi High Court is expected to examine whether the trial court was justified in declining to entertain the fresh bail application in light of the Supreme Court’s earlier order, as well as whether the appellant is entitled to bail in the facts and circumstances of the case.
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