Who Is Umar Khalid? Why Supreme Court Rejected His Bail Plea: EXPLAINED

Umar Khalid is a former student leader from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who was arrested in September 2020 in connection with a larger conspiracy case linked to the northeast Delhi riots that took place in February 2020. 

Umar Khalid is a former student leader from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who was arrested in September 2020 in connection with a larger conspiracy case linked to the northeast Delhi riots that took place in February 2020. The riots left 53 people dead and hundreds injured during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) protests.

Khalid has been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Indian Penal Code sections, including criminal conspiracy, rioting, unlawful assembly, and related offences. These are considered serious offences, and the prosecution alleges that he and others were involved in organising protests and actions that contributed to the violence. 

Why His Bail Requests Were Denied?

Over more than five years, Khalid has repeatedly sought bail at various stages of the legal process. His first bail application was rejected by a trial court in 2022, followed by another rejection by the Delhi High Court. He also withdrew an earlier Supreme Court plea in 2024 and made fresh attempts through trial and high courts.

(Also Read: Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam Denied Bail From Supreme Court In Delhi Riots Case)

Supreme Court Rejects Bail Again

On January 5, 2026, the Supreme Court of India denied bail to Umar Khalid and co-accused Sharjeel Imam in the riots case. The court said Khalid and others "stand on a different footing" compared to some who were granted bail, finding that the evidence and seriousness of allegations under stringent UAPA provisions warranted continued custody.

Ongoing Investigation

The top court noted that the chargesheet runs into thousands of pages and that the detailed investigation includes extensive electronic evidence. Given the seriousness of accusations and ongoing legal proceedings, the court ruled it was not appropriate to grant bail at this stage.

Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam have been charged under Section 43D(5) of the UAPA, which sets tough bail barriers for terrorist acts (Chapter IV) and terror funding (Chapter VI) allegations in the broader Delhi riots conspiracy case.

This decision of SC keeps Umar Khalid in custody while the trial continues.