The Umar Khalid Case: Four Years in Jail and Still No Trial
Umar Khalid: Four Years in Jail Without Trial As of September 14, 2024, Umar Khalid, a former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student and activist, has spent four years in Tihar Jail without trial or bail. Khalid was arrested by Delhi Police’s Special Cell on September 14, 2020, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), accused of being a key conspirator in the February 2020 north-east Delhi riots, which resulted in the deaths of 53 people, predominantly Muslims. Ongoing Legal Battles Despite multiple bail applications, Khalid’s requests have been denied repeatedly. The Karkardooma Court first denied bail in March 2022. His subsequent appeals to the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court have also been unsuccessful. His bail plea has been adjourned 14 times as of February 2024, often due to various procedural issues, including lawyer absences and requests for adjournments by either side. Case Context In the wake of the riots, over 2,500 individuals were arrested. Lower