Fresh Supreme Court bail pleas in Delhi riots case

Politics · First reported 5 Nov, 12:56 · Updated 23:01

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Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam have separately asked India’s Supreme Court to reconsider bail after the Delhi High Court rejected their latest pleas. They argue that the prosecution has yet to examine witnesses despite their prolonged pretrial detention; police oppose their release, citing their alleged roles in the case.

Khalid and Imam filed fresh bail pleas in the Supreme Court, challenging the Delhi High Court’s September 30 rejection of their requests.
They say the prosecution has not examined any witnesses, although the case cites more than 900 witnesses, including 47 protected witnesses.
A January Supreme Court order allowed them to seek bail again after protected witnesses were examined or one year had passed, whichever came first.
Delhi Police oppose bail, alleging the two had leading roles in the conspiracy; Khalid and Imam argue that prolonged detention violates their constitutional rights.
The Supreme Court pleas had not yet been listed for hearing, according to DW’s report.

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Key facts

Latest High Court order: September 30; it rejected the fresh bail pleas.
Witnesses cited: More than 900 total, including 47 protected witnesses; the reports say none had been examined.
Renewed-bail condition: After protected witnesses are examined or one year passes, whichever comes first.
Status of Supreme Court pleas: DW reported they had not yet been listed for hearing.
Reported toll of February 2020 violence: 53 people killed and more than 700 injured, according to The Times of India.