Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam can't seek fresh bail

Delhi Police has requested the Delhi High Court to dismiss the fresh bail petitions filed by Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots case, contending that they submitted their appeals earlier than the time period specified by the Supreme Court. The State argues that the proceedings are misconceived and illegal, and claim they are a violation of the Supreme Court's January 5, 2026 judgment in Gulfisha Fatima v.

State (NCT of Delhi). According to the police, the Supreme Court had set specific conditions for Khalid and Imam to renew their bail pleas, either after the completion of examination of protected witnesses or one year from January 5, 2026, whichever came first. The State's opposition to the fresh petitions is based on the fact that the hearings were initiated before either of these events took place, and thus they are in contravention of the Supreme Court's directions.

The police relied on the Supreme Court's findings that Khalid and Imam were the masterminds behind the conspiracy, and the prosecution material against them contained direct, corroborative and contemporaneous evidence. The State also argued that Khalid had a higher risk profile due to his role as a commander, and his alleged role was different from that of other accused, making his bail petition distinct from those of his co-accused.