Image: The Indian Express
The Karkardooma Court in Delhi has denied bail to Dr. Umar Khalid in connection with the case related to the alleged larger conspiracy behind the communal violence that broke out in East Delhi in February 2020. Bail was denied after deferring the order thrice!
On March 3, 2022, Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat had reserved the bail order after hearing arguments from both sides. The order was set to be pronounced on March 14, 2022. However, the order was deferred to March 21, as the Court was not ready, and then it was further deferred to March 23, as the said order was under correction.
Now, the order has been passed and Dr. Khalid has been denied bail in the case where he is facing charges under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Indian Penal Code.
Dr. Umar Khalid was arrested by the Delhi Police in September 2020, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, on the charge of larger conspiracy to allegedly unleash violence to defame the Indian government during a visit by former US President Donald Trump.
Dr. Umar Khalid has been charged under UAPA sections 13 (Punishment for unlawful activities), 16 (Punishment for terrorist act), 17 (Punishment for raising funds for terrorist act) and 18 (Punishment for conspiracy). Many other activists and scholars have been arrested in connection with this case such as Gulfisha Fatima, Tasleem Ahmed, Khalid Saifi, Ishrat Jahan and others. While Ishrat Jahan was granted bail after 25 long months, others are still left languishing behind bars.
A timeline of Umar Khalid’s journey as a Human Rights Defender may be viewed here.
The complete order may be viewed here:
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