The Delhi High Court recently heard arguments regarding the bail applications of Umar Khalid and Meeran Haider in connection with the larger conspiracy case related to the Delhi riots. The two have sought bail on the grounds of parity, delay in the trial, and their long period of incarceration.
The case was heard by a division bench consisting of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur. During the proceedings, the Delhi Police requested additional time to respond to the submissions made by the accused. The court has scheduled the next hearing for December 12.
Umar Khalid’s senior advocate, Tridip Pais, argued that Khalid should be granted bail based on parity with other accused individuals in the case.
He highlighted that accused persons like Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita, and Asif Iqbal Tanha had been granted bail, and claimed that Khalid’s situation was similar to theirs. Pais also raised concerns about the delay in the trial and Khalid’s prolonged incarceration.
The prosecution had alleged that Umar Khalid attended a secret meeting in Seelampur, citing a photograph posted on Facebook as evidence. Pais questioned the credibility of this claim, pointing out that if it were indeed a secret meeting, it would be illogical for someone to post photographs of it online.
He further argued that after the meeting, there was no violence, which suggested that Khalid’s role in the incident had been misrepresented.
In addition to this, the counsel claimed that Khalid’s role in the case was no different from that of other accused individuals who had already been granted bail. Pais urged the court to grant Khalid bail, citing the principle of parity.
Meanwhile, advocate Sri Singh, who appeared for Meeran Haider, put forth his arguments in favour of his client’s release. Singh argued that Haider was a student leader and had participated in elections for a political leader.
He also highlighted that the Delhi Police had filed a main charge sheet along with four supplementary charge sheets, leading to delays in the trial.
Singh pointed out that Haider had been in custody for over four and a half years, which was a significant period of time. He stressed that prolonged incarceration without a timely trial was unjust, especially considering Haider’s status as a student leader.
Umar Khalid, arrested in September 2020, and Meeran Haider have been in custody for several years while the trial has been delayed.
In contrast, other individuals involved in the case, such as Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita, Asif Iqbal Tanha, and Ishrat Jahan, have been granted bail by various courts.
Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita were granted bail by the High Court, while Ishrat Jahan was granted bail by the trial court.
Umar Khalid’s regular bail application was dismissed on May 28, 2024, and his earlier request for regular bail had also been rejected.
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