'Jail is my life now; happy for others who got bail': Umar Khalid after SC denies bail

Jail is his life now and he is relieved that the others have got bail in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case even though he has not, activist Umar Khalid told his partner Banojyotsna Lahiri on Monday after the Supreme Court ruling came in.

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the matter, saying there was a prima facie case against them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

However, the top court granted bail to activists Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad in the case.

“'I am really happy for the others, who got bail! So relieved', Umar said. 'I'll come tomorrow for Mulaqat', I replied. 'Good good, aa jana. Ab yahi zindagi hai'. #UmarKhalid” Banojyotsna posted on X.

The February 2020 riots in northeast Delhi left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured.

Imam was arrested on January 28, 2020, for speeches made during anti-CAA protests. He was later arrested in a larger conspiracy case in August 2020. Khalid was arrested on September 13, 2020.

All seven accused were booked under the stringent anti-terror UAPA and provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for allegedly being the “masterminds” of the riots.

According to Section 16 of the UAPA, “Whoever commits a terrorist act shall, if such act has resulted in the death of any person, be punishable with death or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.”