North-east Delhi 2020 riots accused and former JNU scholar Umar Khalid and student activist Sharjeel Imam have approached the Supreme Court for bail, saying the court’s one-year embargo imposed on January 5 is nearing, and the examination of protected witnesses is not expected to be over by then.
The petitions filed on Wednesday rely on the court’s observations denying them bail in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, while giving them liberty to revive their prayer after the examination of protected witnesses or the expiry of one year, whichever is earlier. Both accused later approached the Delhi High Court , which turned down their bail plea on September 30, citing the one-year embargo fixed by the apex court. Challenging the dismissal, the two have urged the top court to consider their current situation: they have remained incarcerated for over six years, and the prosecution has failed to examine even one of the more than 900 witnesses named in the case. 47 witnesses are protected, according to the prosecution.
Khalid has filed his plea through advocate N Sai Vinod, and Imam approached the top court through advocate Fauzia Shakil.
The top court had held that the role attributed to the duo stands on a “qualitatively different footing” as it enlarged five accused persons on bail in the riots case while segregating the case of Khalid and Imam.
