High Court Refuses Bail to Sharjeel Imam and Nine Others in Delhi Riots Conspiracy

[abdul]

Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, and seven additional accused in the 2020 riots conspiracy remained in custody after the Delhi High Court dismissed their bail applications on 2 September 2025. The court observed that the alleged roles of the accused were serious in nature and required a full trial to examine evidence before granting any relief.

Who Are the Accused?

Bail pleas of these individuals, along with Imam and Khalid, were also turned down:

(1) Gulfisha Fatima
(2) Devangana Kalita
(3) Natasha Narwal
(4) Asif Iqbal Tanha
(5) Khalid Saifi
(6) Shifa-Ur-Rehman
(7) Meeran Haider

Court’s Observations

The Bench noted that the charges involved claims of planning, mobilization, and provocative speeches that allegedly contributed to the outbreak of communal violence in northeast Delhi in February 2020. According to the court, these were grave allegations that could not be overlooked at the bail stage.

The judges also emphasized that rushing the trial would be unfair to both the prosecution and the defense. Since the case has reached the stage of framing charges, the court has directed that the process move forward systematically.

Background

The 2020 riots in northeast Delhi had resulted in widespread violence, leaving over 50 people dead and hundreds injured. Prosecutors claim that the accused were involved in a broader plot to provoke violence amid demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Following the rejection of bail, Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, along with seven others, will continue to remain behind bars during the ongoing trial. The judgment underscores the judiciary’s position that serious charges of this nature must undergo complete examination in court before any relief is considered.