In a significant development in the 2020 Delhi riots case, the Supreme Court on Monday, January 5, 2026, denied bail to student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. However, the court ordered the release of five other co-accused: Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed.
What is the 2020 Delhi Riots Case?
The 2020 Delhi riots, also known as the North East Delhi riots, were a series of violent clashes that occurred in North East Delhi between February 23 and 29, 2020. The riots were triggered by protests and counter-protests related to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The CAA, passed in December 2019, offered a path to Indian citizenship for undocumented migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, except if they were Muslim. This sparked widespread protests across India, with many fearing the CAA, coupled with the National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), could be used to discriminate against Muslims.
The protests in Delhi, particularly a sit-in by women against the CAA in Jaffrabad, led to rising tensions. On February 23, 2020, BJP leader Kapil Mishra called for the Delhi Police to clear the roads, threatening to "hit the streets" if they failed to do so. Following this, clashes erupted between pro-CAA and anti-CAA demonstrators.
The violence quickly escalated, with reports of arson, stone-pelting, and attacks on religious sites. Hindu mobs largely targeted Muslims, resulting in a disproportionate number of Muslim deaths. Of the 53 people killed, approximately two-thirds were Muslims. Properties were destroyed, and many residents were displaced.
In the aftermath, Delhi Police registered numerous First Information Reports (FIRs), including one concerning a "larger conspiracy" behind the riots. Several individuals, including Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, were arrested and charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). They were accused of being the "masterminds" behind the riots.
The Supreme Court Ruling
Umar Khalid has been in custody since September 13, 2020, while Sharjeel Imam was imprisoned on January 28, 2020, before the riots began. Both individuals had challenged the Delhi High Court's denial of their bail.
The Supreme Court's recent verdict denied bail to Khalid and Imam, citing the gravity of the allegations against them. The court stated that Khalid and Imam "stand on a qualitatively different footing" compared to the other accused. While denying bail to Khalid and Imam, the court granted bail to five other co-accused, observing that the "hierarchy of participation requires the court to assess each application individually" and that Article 21 requires the state to justify prolonged pre-trial custody. The court also clarified that the denial of bail does not equate to a default rule and that the court still has the jurisdiction to grant bail in appropriate cases.
The Supreme Court has allowed Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam to apply for bail again after the examination of protected witnesses is complete or after one year from the date of the order.
Aftermath and Current Status
The Delhi Police has registered over 750 FIRs related to the riots. Investigations are ongoing, and several special investigation teams were formed to probe the cases. While some individuals have been convicted, others have been acquitted, and many remain out on bail. The legal proceedings continue, with the Supreme Court emphasizing the need for individual assessments of each accused's role and culpability.
