Insaaf Times Desk

The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned the hearing on the bail petitions of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, and Miran Haider in the high-profile 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case until September 19. All four face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

A bench comprising Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice N.V. Anjaria said they received the case file late at night and did not have sufficient time to go through it, prompting the adjournment.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had rejected their bail pleas, stating that violence cannot be justified under the guise of freedom of expression.

During the Supreme Court hearing, lawyers argued that other co-accused such as Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita, and Asif Iqbal Tanha had already been granted bail, and on the principle of equality, their clients should also be considered for bail.

Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam are considered the main accused in the alleged conspiracy behind the Delhi riots, while Gulfisha Fatima and Miran Haider are also accused in the case. All four have been in custody since 2020 in various cases and are currently lodged in Tihar Jail.

The court has scheduled the next hearing in the matter for September 19.