In a case involving the 2020 North East Delhi riots, a Delhi Court on Saturday discharged student activist Umar Khalid and United Against Hate member Khalid Saifi.

Umar Khalid was granted bail in the FIR, and the judge had stated that he could not be kept in jail on the basis of suspect evidence. The court had noted that he had been charged after the investigation in the case was finished and a charge sheet had been submitted “he cannot be made to incarcerate in jail for infinity merely on account of the fact that other persons who were part of the riotous mob have to be identified and arrested in the matter."

The decision was made today in FIR 101/2020, lodged at Police Station Khajuri Khas by Judge Pulastya Pramachala. The court also released Tariq Moin Rizvi, Jagar Khan, and Mohd. Illiyas in addition to Umar Khalid and Khalid Saifi.

"Accused Tariq Moin Rizvi, Jagar Khan, Mohd. Illiyas, Khalid Saifi and Umar Khalid are directed to furnish bond u/s. 437-A Cr.P.C. in the sum of Rs.10,000/- with one surety in the like amount. Copy of order be sent to Jail Superintendent concerned for intimation to concerned accused persons," court ordered.

In the FIR, Khalid and Saifi are both out on bail. However, they are still being held in judicial custody in the UAPA case, which contends that a bigger conspiracy was responsible for the riots. The IPC sections 109, 114, 147, 148, 149, 153-A, 186, 212, 353, 395, 427, 435, 436, 452, 454, 505, 34, and 120-B, as well as sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, were all used to register the FIR.

They were charge on a constable's statement that, on February 24, 2020, a sizable crowd had assembled nearby Chand Bagh Pulia and began throwing stones.