The Delhi High Court on Friday adjourned the hearing on the appeals filed by student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, challenging the trial court’s refusal to grant them bail in the Delhi riot case to May 6.
The Division Bench of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar said as the matter pertaining the constitutional validity of the offence of Sedition under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code is coming up for hearing before the Supreme Court on May 5, it would not be appropriate to discuss the matter before hearing takes place and decision comes forth.
It is important to know that the Supreme Court has decided to have the final hearing on the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the sedition law on May 5.
A three-member Bench comprising Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli are considering two writ petitions filed by Army veteran Major-General SG Vombatkere (Retired) and the Editors Guild of India respectively in the same.
Umar Khalid was represented by Senior Advocate Trideep Pais who said that “the outcome of the said challenge will not have a bearing on the merits of the matter”.
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To this, Justice Mridul remarked, “No matter the bearing, we should await the outcome.”
During the course of court, advocate Tanveer Ahmed Mir mentioned that a fresh appeal has been filed by Sharjeel Imam who has challenged the Trial Court order denying him bail in the UAPA case.
The Court holds that Sharjeel is alleged coconspirator in FIR, so his case will be heard along with Umar Khalid.
While issuing notice on the appeal of Sharjeel Imam, the Court posted both the matters for further hearing on May 6