The Indian Supreme Court has dismissed a review petition filed by activist Umar Khalid seeking reconsideration of its January 5 order denying him bail in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.   A bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice NV Anjaria, in its April 16 order made public on Monday, said it found “no good ground and reason” to review the earlier judgment. 

Senior counsel Kapil Sibal had on April 13 mentioned Khalid’s review petition before the bench, requesting an open court hearing. The court, however, rejected the prayer for oral arguments, noting that review petitions are generally heard “in chamber” by circulation of papers unless exceptional grounds exist.

Booked under draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Khalid has been in jail since September 13, 2020, on charges of delivering provocative speeches during the visit of then-US President Donald Trump.   The February 2020 riots in Delhi claimed 53 lives and left over 700 injured, erupting amid protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

On January 5, the apex court had denied bail to Khalid and Sharjeel Imam  Rights observers say the continued denial of bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam under the UAPA, even as other co-accused have been granted relief, underscores a pattern of discriminatory application of law against Muslims. Analysts said that invoking stringent anti-terror provisions for speeches delivered during anti-CAA protests, while prolonging incarceration for over five years without trial, reflects institutional bias. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)