The Supreme Court of India has adjourned the hearing on the bail plea of former JNU student Umar Khalid, who is facing charges under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the northeast Delhi riots of February 2020.

The matter has been deferred until January 31, as the bench, composed of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Ujjal Bhuyan, was available only until lunch.

Senior advocate C U Singh, representing Umar Khalid, expressed readiness to present arguments but cited the bench's post-lunch schedule as a hindrance. The bench, however, confirmed that the case would be listed on January 31 and emphasized its priority.

Umar Khalid's petition challenges the Delhi High Court's October 18, 2022 order, which had rejected his bail plea. The High Court, in its ruling, stated that Khalid was in constant communication with other co-accused, and the allegations against him were prima facie true. The court also concluded that Khalid's actions qualified as a "terrorist act" under the UAPA.

The bail plea hearing was previously scheduled before a bench of Justices A S Bopanna and Prashant Kumar Mishra. However, Justice Mishra recused himself from the case on August 9, leading to the current bench's involvement.

Umar Khalid, along with Sharjeel Imam and several others, faces charges under UAPA and various sections of the Indian Penal Code, being accused of masterminding the February 2020 riots that resulted in 53 deaths and over 700 injuries. These violent incidents occurred amid protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Khalid, arrested by the Delhi Police in September 2020, has consistently maintained that he played no criminal role in the violence and had no conspiratorial connections with other accused. The Delhi Police, opposing Khalid's bail plea in the high court, argued that his speeches were carefully calculated, touching upon contentious issues like Babri Masjid, triple talaq, Kashmir, alleged suppression of Muslims, and the CAA and NRC.

Case: Umar Khalid v. State of NCT of Delhi.