Delhi Riots Case: Another Delay For Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam As Delhi HC Postpones Bail Hearing To Sep 30

The Delhi High Court on Monday deferred the bail pleas of former JNU scholar Umar Khalid and activist Sharjeel Imam to September 30, adding another delay to the latest round of litigation in the case concerning the alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 North-East Delhi riots.

A division bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Dinesh Bhatt adjourned the matter after the prosecution sought an accommodation, informing the court that Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, who is appearing for the State, was unwell. The prosecution is expected to present its arguments when the matter comes up next.

Khalid and Imam are challenging the July 4, 2026 order of the Karkardooma trial court, which rejected their fresh bail pleas. The present proceedings are their latest attempt to secure bail in the UAPA case after earlier rounds of litigation reached the higher courts.

The latest proceedings have already seen several listings without substantive arguments on the bail pleas. On July 31, the High Court issued notice to the Delhi Police on Khalid's appeal and directed the prosecution to file its response. The matter was then listed for August 27 along with the Imam's plea. August 27, however, was a court holiday, after which the cases were listed again on August 31 and subsequently moved to September 21.

The September 21 hearing also did not progress to substantive arguments after the prosecution sought an adjournment citing the illness of the ASG. The next date is now September 30.

The delays have also kept the case in the public spotlight. Supporters of Khalid and Imam, student groups and civil-rights organisations have repeatedly demanded their release, arguing that the two have spent years in custody without the trial reaching its conclusion. Slogans demanding their release have been raised at protests and student gatherings, including at JNU. In August, a Mumbai court also dealt with a case involving students accused of raising slogans calling for Khalid and Imam to be freed.

In Bengaluru, a civil-liberties group said a protest poster carrying slogans such as “Sharjeel Imam Zindabad” and “Umar Khalid Zindabad” had led to an FIR, illustrating how expressions of support for the two have themselves become part of wider disputes over protest and free speech. The organisation's position represents its own interpretation of the issue and is contested by authorities.

At the same time, the Delhi Police has strongly opposed their release, telling the High Court that Khalid and Imam played central roles in the alleged conspiracy and that their continued detention is justified. These are prosecution allegations, which the accused contest.

The case stems from the violence that erupted in North-East Delhi in February 2020, leaving 53 people dead and hundreds injured. Khalid has been in custody since September 2020, while Imam has been in custody since January 2020. Both face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the larger conspiracy case.

The Supreme Court denied their bail pleas in January 2026, while later proceedings have continued over their detention and fresh attempts for bail. The September 30 hearing will now provide the next opportunity for the Delhi High Court to consider their pleas amid the continuing legal battle and public campaign demanding their release.