On Monday, October 27, 2025, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the bail applications of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, and Meeran Haider. These pleas are linked to a case filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) concerning the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots in Delhi.
A Bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria is expected to preside over the hearing. The apex court had previously issued a notice to the Delhi Police on September 22, requesting their response on the matter.
The activists have approached the Supreme Court to challenge an order from the Delhi High Court, issued on September 2.
The High Court had denied bail to nine individuals, including Khalid and Imam. Its ruling stated unequivocally that ‘conspiratorial’ violence carried out under the guise of public demonstrations or protests by citizens could not be permitted.
Beyond Khalid and Imam, others whose bail applications were rejected include Fatima, Haider, Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Abdul Khalid Saifi, and Shadab Ahmed.
Separately, another High Court bench also rejected the bail plea of Tasleem Ahmed on September 2.
In its observations, the High Court acknowledged citizens’ constitutional right to protest, demonstrate, or agitate, provided these actions remain orderly, peaceful, unarmed, and within legal boundaries.
While recognizing that the right to participate in peaceful protests and make public speeches is protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution and cannot be overtly suppressed, the High Court emphasized that this right is ‘not absolute’ and remains ‘subject to reasonable restrictions.’
The High Court’s bail rejection order articulated that allowing ‘unfettered right to protest’ would undermine the constitutional framework and adversely affect the country’s law and order situation.
Khalid, Imam, and the other accused are facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with provisions of the former Indian Penal Code. They are accused of being the ‘masterminds’ behind the February 2020 riots, which tragically resulted in 53 deaths and left over 700 people injured.
The widespread violence originally erupted during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens.
All accused individuals have consistently denied the allegations against them and have remained in custody since 2020. They had initially moved the High Court after a trial court rejected their initial bail pleas.