BREAKING: Supreme Court Dismisses Umar Khalid's Review of Bail Denial In 2020 Delhi Riots Case

The Supreme Court has dismissed Umar Khalid's petition seeking a review of its January 5 order that denied him bail in the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots.

The review petition was heard on Wednesday, i.e. April 15 in chambers while Khalid had requested for an open court hearing.

"Prayer for oral hearing in the review petition is rejected. Delay condoned. Having gone through the review petition and also the documents enclosed, we do not find any good ground and reason to review the judgment dated 05.01.2026. Accordingly, the review petition is dismissed. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of", the bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria has said.

In January court had rejected the bail pleas of Khalid and co-accused Sharjeel Imam holding that the material placed on record disclosed a prima facie case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

In a detailed judgment, the Bench had observed that the prosecution’s case indicated a “central and formative role” played by the accused, involving planning, mobilisation, and strategic direction that went beyond isolated or localised acts. Notably, while denying relief to Khalid and Imam, the Court had granted bail to several other accused in the same case, including Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed.

The January 5 order had also imposed a restriction on Khalid and Imam, barring them from renewing their bail pleas until either the examination of protected witnesses is completed or one year has elapsed from the date of the order.

It is to be noted that, on December 10, 2025, the Apex Court had reserved its verdict on the bail pleas. ASG Raju had strongly opposed the bail requests, asserting that the violence that rocked Northeast Delhi was not a peaceful protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act but part of a “well-planned conspiracy” to spark unrest and destabilise the government.

Opposing the bail pleas, Solicitor General Mehta had launched a sharp attack on what he described as “myths” surrounding the riots. “This was not a spontaneous riot. It was a well-designed, well-crafted, well-orchestrated, pre-planned and well-choreographed riot,” he told the Bench, adding that the violence amounted to “an attack on the sovereignty of the nation.”

Khali and the others had filed a Special Leave petition (SLP) before the Apex Court challenging the Delhi High Court's September 2, 2025 order denying bail to them. The High Court had held “violence in the name of protest is not free speech” as it dismissed the bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and seven others.

The case stems from the violence that erupted in Northeast Delhi in 2020 during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The clashes between supporters and opponents of the Act led to large-scale incidents of stone-pelting, arson, and violence, leaving 53 people dead and injuring thousands.

Case Title: Umar Khalid v. State of NCT of Delhi

Bench: Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria

Judgment Date: April 20, 2026