The Delhi High Court has granted interim bail to activist and former Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Umar Khalid from June 1 to June 3 in connection with the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. The temporary relief was granted considering his mother’s upcoming surgery.
Khalid had approached the high court seeking 15 days of interim bail between May 22 and June 5 after a trial court rejected his plea on May 19.
He had requested temporary release to attend the Chehlum ceremony of his late maternal uncle and to care for his 62-year-old mother, who is scheduled to undergo lump excision surgery on June 2.
Umar Khalid challenges trial court observations
In his appeal, Khalid argued that the trial court incorrectly concluded that his late uncle was not an immediate family member and that other relatives could adequately care for his mother.
He told the court that he shared a close relationship with his uncle and wanted to spend time with his 87-year-old grandmother during the mourning period.
The plea also stated that his mother, Sabiha Khanam, has been suffering from lumps and cyst-related complications for nearly two years and was recently advised to undergo surgery.
Khalid further argued that his 71 year old father was not in a position to manage her care alone and said that, as the eldest child and only son, he wished to support his mother before and after the procedure.
Previous interim bail cited before court
Khalid also informed the court that he had previously received interim bail in 2022, 2024 and 2025 for family related reasons and had complied with all conditions imposed during those periods.
The trial court had earlier dismissed his plea, observing that the grounds presented were not sufficient for temporary release.
The prosecution opposed the request and argued that the surgery was a minor medical procedure and that other family members were available to assist.
Umar Khalid remains in custody since 2020
Umar Khalid has remained in custody since September 2020 in the larger conspiracy case connected to the northeast Delhi riots.
Investigating agencies have alleged that the violence was part of a pre planned conspiracy linked to protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, allegations that Khalid has consistently denied.
