Table of Contents
Introduction
The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned the hearing on the bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who are accused in a UAPA case related to the alleged conspiracy behind the Northeast Delhi riots of 2020. The Bench cited a lack of time to review the case files as the reason for the deferment, pushing the crucial hearing to next week.
Key Takeaways: The Bail Plea Adjournment
- Who: Activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
- What: Their separate bail pleas in the Delhi riots case have been adjourned.
- Where: The Supreme Court of India.
- New Hearing Date: The matter will now be heard on September 19, 2025.
- Reason for Delay: The Bench of Justices had not received the case files in time to examine them before the hearing.
A Matter of Unpreparedness
The bail pleas were listed before a Bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria. However, when the matter was called for hearing, the Bench stated that it was not prepared to hear the case.
The Justices informed the lawyers that the voluminous files and case records for the matter had only reached them at 2:30 a.m. on the day of the hearing. This left them with insufficient time to go through the extensive documentation and prepare for the arguments.
Consequently, the court decided to adjourn the hearing for both Umar Khalid’s and Sharjeel Imam’s pleas to the following week, setting the new date for Friday, September 19.
The Long Incarceration
Both Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam have been incarcerated for several years in connection with the Delhi riots case. They were arrested under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), under which getting bail is notoriously difficult.
- Umar Khalid has been in custody since September 2020.
- Sharjeel Imam has been in custody since January 2020.
They have challenged the Delhi High Court’s orders, which had previously denied them bail, finding that the allegations against them were prima facie true. Their pleas in the Supreme Court represent one of their last legal avenues for seeking release from pre-trial detention.
Conclusion
The adjournment of the bail pleas is a temporary setback for Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in their long legal battle for freedom. The focus now shifts to September 19, when the Supreme Court is expected to take up the matter for a detailed hearing. The outcome of these pleas is being closely watched by legal experts and human rights organizations, as it holds significant implications for the interpretation of the UAPA and the rights of the accused in conspiracy cases.
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Sources:
- The Hindu: For the report on the Supreme Court hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why was the bail hearing for Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam postponed?
The Supreme Court Bench postponed the hearing because the case files were delivered to them very late, leaving the judges with no time to review the documents and prepare for the case.
What is the new date for the hearing?
The Supreme Court will now hear the bail pleas on September 19, 2025.
