Umar Khalid Tells Delhi Court He Was ‘Singled Out’ in Delhi Riots Conspiracy Case

UAPA accused Umar Khalid told a Delhi court on Thursday that he had been “singled out” by the police in the larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi riots, while others similarly placed had not been made accused.

The submissions were made by Senior Advocate Trideep Pais, appearing for Khalid, before Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai during arguments opposing the framing of charges against him.

Arguing that Khalid had been unfairly targeted, Mr Pais submitted that the prosecution’s case rested largely on the allegation that his client was a member of at least four WhatsApp groups. However, none of the admins of these groups had been charged, he pointed out.

The defence also referred to witness statements indicating that certain meetings alleged by the prosecution to be part of the conspiracy were attended not only by Khalid but also by Yogendra Yadav and Nadeem Khan. The senior counsel questioned what the distinction was between Mr. Yadav and others who attended the same meetings and his client, who alone has been booked under the UAPA.

Referring to witness accounts that Khalid had allegedly said “students would launch protests across India, including Muslim students,” the senior advocate asked, “Where is the terror angle in organising demonstrations and protests?”

In previous hearings, Khalid had alleged that the police had “fabricated evidence” to link him to the conspiracy. He had contended that he had spent nearly five years in custody and described the FIR as a “joke of an FIR,” claiming it lacked the “sanctity of law.”

The matter will next be heard on October 14, 2025.

Notably, Khalid has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court’s September 2, 2025, order denying him bail. The matter before the apex court is listed for hearing on October 27.

While denying bail, the Delhi High Court had observed that “violence in the name of protest is not free speech” as it dismissed the bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and seven others in the Delhi riots larger conspiracy case.

A Division Bench of Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Shalinder Kaur, in a detailed 133-page verdict, said, “Any conspiratorial violence under the garb of protests or demonstrations by citizens cannot be permitted. Such actions must be regulated and checked by the State machinery, as they do not fall within the ambit of the freedom of speech, expression, and association.”

Court held that the role of Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid is prima facie grave in the entire conspiracy, noting that they had delivered inflammatory speeches on communal lines to instigate a mass mobilization of members of the Muslim community. The plea of parity with co-accused was also rejected. The judges said that although others were present in conspiratorial meetings and WhatsApp groups, their role was “limited when juxtaposed with these Appellants.

Besides Khalid, there are nearly seventeen accused in the case. Delhi Police’s Special Cell had registered FIR 59 of 2020, naming several individuals including, Sharjeel Imam, Tahir Hussain, Khalid Saifi, Ishrat Jahan, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, and Shifa-ur-Rehman.

The accused have been charged under stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as well as sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity, rioting, and murder.

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.

Date: 10 October 2025

Bench: Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai

Inputs: PTI