Supreme Court Adjourns Hearing on Umar Khalid’s Bail Plea in UAPA Case

The Supreme Court said on Wednesday that Bail plea of Umar Khalid challenging Unlawful activities Prevention Act (UAPA) will be heard on 24 August. Delhi Police registered an offense under UAPA against Umar Khalid on 24 July 2020. Delhi High Court had dismissed his Bail plea on 18 October 2022.

Today, the Counsel for Delhi Police sought some more time to file counter-affidavit. A bench of Justice A S Bopanna and Justice M M Sundresh who was hearing the case said, “It should have been ready today.”

When the Delhi Police asked for time to file their reply, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibbal, representing Khalid, questioned, “The man has been in jail for over two years now, what reply is needed in a bail case now?”

Advocate Rajat Nair, appearing for the Delhi Police requested the bench that, “Charge sheets compiles thousands of pages, please grant us some reasonable time to file a reply.” Bench posted the matter for hearing on July 24.

On May 18, the apex court had sought response of the Delhi Police on Khalid’s plea. In his appeal, Khalid has challenged the Delhi High Court order refusing him bail in the case.

The High Court had also stated that the actions of the accused prima facie qualified as “terrorist act” under the anti-terror law UAPA.

Mr. Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and several others have been booked under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and provisions of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly being the “masterminds” of the February 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.