Delhi Riots: High Court Holds Its Cards Close on Umar Khalid and Sharjeel’s Bail
So the Delhi High Court just wrapped up hearings on the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam—two names that’ve become lightning rods in the 2020 riots case. And let me tell you, it wasn’t your usual dry courtroom scene. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta went all in, calling it a “plot to smear India’s reputation.” But here’s the thing: beyond the legal jargon, this case is really about how India handles dissent. And right now, it’s not looking pretty.
1. The Backstory: Why This Case Matters
1.1 The 2020 Riots – More Than Just Headlines
Remember February 2020? The CAA protests were everywhere, tensions were sky-high, and then—boom—Delhi exploded. Three days of chaos: 53 dead, shops torched, neighborhoods torn apart. What started as political rallies turned into something much darker. And honestly? The aftershocks are still being felt today.
1.2 Why Khalid and Imam Are in the Crosshairs
Umar Khalid—JNU’s firebrand ex-student leader—and Sharjeel Imam, that academic who always seems to ruffle feathers, are accused of stirring the pot under UAPA. The cops say their speeches added fuel to the fire. But here’s the kicker: Khalid’s team swears he wasn’t even near the worst violence spots. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
2. Inside the Courtroom: The Bail Battle
2.1 The Defense Plays Their Cards
Khalid’s lawyers came out swinging. Two years behind bars without a trial? That’s not justice—that’s punishment without conviction. They’re calling it what it is: a political witch hunt. And they’ve got a point—where’s the smoking gun linking him directly to the riots?
2.2 The Prosecution’s Counterpunch
But Mehta wasn’t having any of it. WhatsApp chats, witness accounts—he painted this as some grand conspiracy to “break India.” Dramatic? Sure. But in today’s climate, that kind of talk gets traction. The UAPA’s their trump card, and they’re playing it hard.
3. The Waiting Game Begins
3.1 What “Reserving Verdict” Really Means
Court’s basically saying, “We need time to think this through.” Translation? This one’s messy. Could be weeks before we hear anything. Legal experts I’ve spoken to say that’s actually normal for cases this charged.
3.2 Bail or Jail? The Stakes
If they deny bail, we’re looking at years more in prison before trial even starts. But if they grant it? That’d be huge—UAPA bails are rarer than honest politicians. Either way, someone’s going to appeal to the Supreme Court. This fight’s far from over.
4. That “Conspiracy” Bomb Shell
4.1 Mehta’s Big Claim
When the SG said this was about “defaming India,” eyebrows shot up nationwide. His argument? This wasn’t random violence—it was a coordinated attack on the country itself. Strong stuff. Too strong, maybe.
4.2 Who’s Buying It?
Opposition leaders rolled their eyes hard. BJP supporters? They ate it up. But here’s what worries me: when law officers talk like politicians, does that tilt the scales of justice? Food for thought.
5. The Public’s Split Personality
5.1 Team Khalid
JNU’s still got his back—protests haven’t stopped since his arrest. Civil rights folks see this as free speech under fire. Even the Congress, usually allergic to strong stands, is waving the “release them” banners.
5.2 The Other Side
BJP’s framing this as “saving India from urban Naxals.” And their media cheerleaders? They’re running with that narrative 24/7. It’s become less about law and more about which side you’re on.
6. The Elephant in the Room: UAPA’s Dark Side
6.1 Justice Delayed is Justice Denied?
Let’s be real—UAPA’s become a tool to keep people jailed forever without proving anything. The UN’s called India out on this before. When you can lock someone up for years without trial, that’s not anti-terror—that’s anti-justice.
6.2 The World is Watching
Amnesty and HRW aren’t letting this slide. Their reports read like horror stories—basic rights tossed aside for “national security.” Bad look for a country that calls itself the world’s largest democracy.
7. What Now?
We’re in for a wait. The verdict will drop when it drops. But whatever happens, this won’t end at the High Court. Supreme Court’s next. And given how things are going, maybe even international courts down the line.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just about two guys in jail. It’s about what kind of India we want—one that locks up critics or one that hears them out? The court’s decision will send ripples everywhere—from Parliament to your local chai stall. Keep your eyes peeled, folks. This story’s got legs.
Source: News18 Hindi – Nation
