Former JNU student Umar Khalid was released from Tihar Jail on Friday, following the December 12 order of a local court in the national capital, which granted him interim bail for seven days, starting December 23, to attend his sister’s wedding.
The activist was arrested under the stringent provision of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in a larger conspiracy case leading to riots in Northeast Delhi in 2020.
Khalid was granted bail by the Karkardooma Court on December 12. The court of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act had directed him to surrender on December 30, without seeking extension of bail.
During the arguments on November 6, Senior Advocate Tridip Pais had assured the court that Khalid would neither talk to the media, nor give any interview, if granted interim bail for the wedding of his sister, scheduled on December 28.
He also said that he would abide by any condition imposed by the court, including providing his live location.
On November 25, the Delhi Police had informed the Karkardooma Court that if Khalid was allowed to be released on interim bail for his sister’s wedding, he was most likely to spread misinformation on social media and cause unrest in the society.
Khalid had filed a petition before Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat for interim bail in the UAPA case.
The Delhi Police verified and confirmed the occasion of his sister’s wedding from his parents and the manager of the wedding venue, but was not in favour of the release of Khalid, who was arrested on September 13, 2020, since he was facing “serious” charges including those for offences under the UAPA.
Police said that the regular bail of Khalid was dismissed by the court and hence, he filed an appeal before the High Court.
They also said that his parents were capable of making all necessary arrangements.
Police said that it was very likely for him to influence witnesses in the case, if released for two weeks.
The Delhi High Court had rejected Khalid’s bail plea on October 18 this year, noting that the allegations against him were “prima facie true” and therefore the embargo of Section 43D(5) of the UAPA applied squarely for consideration of bail.
Umar Khalid was arrested by the Delhi police on September 13, 2020 and was charge-sheeted on November 22 the same year under various sections of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code.
A plea was moved by Khalid in July 2021, and after several hearings, the trial court rejected his plea on March 24, 2022. He then approached the Delhi High Court.