Delhi High Court Sets Date for Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam Bail Hearings

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has scheduled November 25 as the date to hear the bail applications of Umar Khalid, a former student of Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Sharjeel Imam, a student activist, both of whom are implicated in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

According to Kashmir Media Service, the hearing will also include bail pleas from other co-accused in the case, including ‘United Against Hate’ founder Khalid Saifi. These cases were set for a fresh hearing before a bench comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur, following a reassignment from a bench previously headed by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, who has been transferred to the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Umar Khalid was arrested in September 2020 on charges of delivering inflammatory speeches and contributing to the orchestration of the riots, with his defense contesting that his speeches were part of peaceful protest efforts. Sharjeel Imam was arrested under similar allegations, with his legal team arguing that his comments on social media and public speeches were misconstrued and that his intentions were to advocate for civil rights.

The 2020 riots, associated with these cases, led to the deaths of at least 53 people and injuries to hundreds, highlighting severe communal tensions in the region. The upcoming court hearings will not only determine the legal standing of Khalid and Imam but also touch on significant issues related to free speech and civil liberties within India.

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