Former JNU students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam have approached a Delhi court seeking bail in the 2020 Delhi Riots conspiracy case after a recent Supreme Court observation raised questions over the interpretation adopted while denying them bail earlier, according to Bar & Bench.
Additional Sessions Judge Dr Sumedh Sethi of the Karkardooma Court on Friday fixed July 4 for hearing the bail applications filed by both accused, the legal news portal reported. Bar & Bench said the fresh pleas were moved after a Supreme Court bench questioned the interpretation relied upon by the apex court in rejecting their earlier bail requests.
In his application, Imam has argued that despite more than six months having passed since the Supreme Court’s judgment denying bail, there has been no meaningful progress in the trial, with arguments on framing of charges still incomplete. He has also contended that he has spent nearly six years in custody in the case, according to the report.
Khalid and Imam are among several accused booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots. Bar & Bench reported that the trial court will consider their fresh bail pleas on July 4.
