Jailed activist Umar Khalid has expressed resignation over the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant him bail in the 2020 Delhi riots “larger conspiracy” case, while saying he feels relief and happiness for the co-accused who were granted bail. His reaction was shared by his partner, Banojyotsna Lahiri, through a post on social media on Monday.
The Supreme Court, on January 5, declined bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, observing that a prima facie case existed against them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). At the same time, the court granted bail to five other accused — Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad.
Recounting her conversation with Khalid after the verdict, Lahiri wrote that he was genuinely relieved for those who secured bail. “Umar said, ‘I am really happy for the others who got bail! So relieved,’” she posted. She added that when she told him she would visit him in jail the next day, Khalid responded, “Good, good, aa jana. Ab yahi zindagi hai (Do come. This is my life now).”
Umar Khalid has spent nearly five years in jail, even as the trial in the case is yet to begin. The Supreme Court noted that delay in trial alone could not be treated as a decisive ground for granting bail in cases under stringent laws like the UAPA.
The February 2020 riots in northeast Delhi resulted in 53 deaths and left over 700 people injured. Police have alleged that Khalid and others were part of a larger conspiracy behind the violence, a charge they have consistently denied.
Reacting to the verdict, Khalid’s father, Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, said he was deeply disappointed but chose not to comment further, stating that the judgment had been delivered and there was little more to say.