Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed approval of the Supreme Court’s rejection of bail for student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in connection to the 2020 Delhi riots, citing a “larger conspiracy.” She emphasized the need for severe punishment for those responsible for instigating the riots and called for accountability of political parties supporting such actions.
The BJP praised the Supreme Court’s decision on the bail plea, viewing it as a significant validation of judicial independence against pressures from “urban Naxals and Islamist sympathizers.” Amit Malviya, from the BJP’s National Information and Technology Department, highlighted the court’s recognition of evidence suggesting the involvement of Khalid and Imam in a criminal conspiracy under the UAPA.
The court’s ruling, while granting bail to five other accused under strict conditions, underscored the necessity to evaluate culpability on an individual basis. The BJP emphasized that the decision should serve as a clear message to groups attempting to influence India’s judicial process through pressure tactics, including foreign intervention in internal matters.
The Supreme Court, in its judgment, noted a prima facie case against Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, leading to the denial of bail under the UAPA. The Bench highlighted their alleged roles in planning, mobilization, and strategic direction in connection to the riots, justifying their continued detention.
