Activists Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid have moved the Supreme Court against a Delhi High Court order refusing them bail in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case on the “larger conspiracy” behind the February 2020 riots in northeast Delhi.
In their plea before the top court, the activists contended that they should be granted bail as the prosecution has failed to examine protected witnesses and the one-year embargo imposed by the top court is about to expire.
The petition by Imam contended that the chargesheet was filed on September 25, 2020, in which 18 accused face trial and the prosecution has cited more than 900 witnesses, including 47 protected witnesses.
Khalid, in his plea, said the prosecution has failed to examine protected witnesses and the one-year embargo imposed by the top court is about to expire and therefore prolonged incarceration would violate Article 21 of the Constitution.
Imam was arrested in the case on August 25, 2020, while Khalid was arrested on September 13, 2020. On January 5, the apex court said that both can apply for bail after the trial court examines crucial witnesses or after an year.