Umar Khalid Gets 3-Day Interim Bail For Mother's Surgery

The Delhi High Court on Friday granted interim bail to former JNU student leader Umar Khalid, allowing him temporary release for three days in connection with the larger conspiracy case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) linked to the 2020 North East Delhi riots.

A division bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Madhu Jain directed that Khalid be released between June 1 and June 3, subject to strict conditions. The court said the relief was being extended to enable him to spend time with his mother, who is scheduled to undergo surgery. Khalid will be permitted to use only one mobile phone and must remain in constant contact with the Investigating Officer during this period, Live Law reported.

Khalid had sought 15 days of interim bail to attend the Chehlum ritual following the death of his uncle and to assist his mother before and after her surgery. His plea was earlier rejected by a trial court on May 19, which held that the reasons cited were not sufficient to justify release.

Senior Advocate Trideep Pais, appearing for Khalid, argued that similar relief had been granted to him in the past, including for his sister's wedding. The Delhi Police, represented by Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, opposed the plea, contending that Khalid's mother's surgery was minor and that his sisters could take care of her.

The High Court, however, took what it described as an "empathetic view" and allowed the short-term bail.

Earlier this week, a Delhi court had dismissed Khalid's request for interim bail, observing that attending the Chehlum ceremony was not essential and that his family could manage his mother's medical needs. The order noted that the surgery was a simple procedure for lump removal and did not require Khalid's presence.

The case against Khalid is part of FIR 59/2020, which includes charges under multiple sections of the UAPA, the Arms Act, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, and the Indian Penal Code. Investigators allege that Khalid and others were key conspirators behind the communal violence that erupted in northeast Delhi in February 2020, leaving 53 people dead and more than 700 injured.

The riots broke out amid protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the proposed National Register of Citizens, and the case continues to be one of the most closely watched trials under the UAPA.