Delhi Riots Larger Conspiracy Case: Umar Khalid withdraws bail plea from SC and says “We will try our luck in the trial court.”

On February 14, 2024 (Wednesday), former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) scholar and activist Umar Khalid withdrew his bail plea from the Supreme Court (SC) in connection with the Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. . He said, “I wish to argue the legal question (challenging the constitutionality of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 provisions) but want to withdraw the bail plea due to a change in circumstances. We will try our luck in the trial court.” Considering this, a two-judge bench comprising Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Pankaj Mithal dismissed the petition as withdrawn. 

Since September 2020, Umar Khalid has been behind bars awaiting his trial under the UAPA for his involvement in the 2020 communal violence that broke out in the National Capital, Delhi. He was booked under Section 13, Section 16, Section 17, and Section 18 of the UAPA, Section 3 and Section 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, and Section 25 and Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959. On February 01, 2024, the SC adjourned the hearing of Khalid’s bail plea for the 13th time. A two-judge bench heard the matter on February 14 as Khalid withdrew his bail petition due to a change in circumstances.