Activist Umar Khalid has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court’s decision that rejected his bail plea in connection with the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 Delhi riots. Khalid is facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). On September 2, the Delhi High Court had denied bail to Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and seven others, stating that violence cannot be justified under the pretext of protest.
Apart from Khalid and Imam, bail pleas of Mohammad Salim Khan, Shifa-ur-Rahman, Athar Khan, Meeran Haider, Abdul Khalid Saifi, Gulfisha Fatima, and Shadab Ahmad were also dismissed. Another accused, Tasleem Ahmad, faced a similar rejection from a different High Court bench on the same day. Last week, Sharjeel Imam and Gulfisha Fatima also challenged the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court.
In its order, the High Court emphasized that while the Constitution allows citizens to protest under Article 19(1)(a), such demonstrations must remain peaceful, disciplined, and within the framework of law. The bench clarified that though public speeches and assemblies are fundamental rights, these freedoms are not absolute and are subject to reasonable restrictions to protect public order and constitutional governance.
