Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student and activist Umar Khalid, who has been in jail since September 2020 in connection with his alleged role in the Delhi riots conspiracy case, withdrew his bail plea from the Supreme Court today citing change in circumstances [Umar Khalid v. State of NCT of Delhi].A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal was slated to hear the matter today when Khalid's counsel Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, informed the Court that the bail plea was being withdrawn due to change in circumstances."We wish to withdraw due to change of circumstances and move the trial court for appropriate relief," submitted Sibal.The Court then allowed the withdrawal of the bail plea.Khalid was arrested in September 2020, and charged with criminal conspiracy, rioting, unlawful assembly as well as several other offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).He has been in jail since then.A Karkardooma court denied bail to Khalid in March 2022. He then approached the High Court which also denied him relief in October 2022, prompting him to file an appeal before the top court.
In May 2023, the Supreme Court sought the response of the Delhi Police in the matter.
His plea before the top court was then adjourned 14 times.On January 10, the Supreme Court had granted a 'final' adjournment in the matter since both parties requested for the same.
At the time, the Court was unwilling to adjourn the matter and was about to list it for January 17 when Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Khalid, told the Court that he would be engaged before a Constitution Bench in another case.
Justice Pankaj Mithal responded by pointing out that an impression should not be created that the Court was unwilling to hear the matter, especially when the adjournment was actually being sought by the lawyers.
Before this, in November 2023 the Court had adjourned the hearing in the bail plea due to the non-availability of counsel on both sides.
In July 2023, the Bench hearing the matter stated that the hearing would be wrapped up within two minutes. However, in August, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra recused from hearing the plea.
On August 18 that year, the matter was adjourned, so that it could be listed on a non-miscellaneous day (Tuesdays, Wednesday or Thursdays) when lengthy hearings take place. It saw multiple adjournments since then, before it was ultimately withdrawn today.
TAGS: Jawaharlal Nehru University JNU student activist Umar Khalid jail September 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case Supreme Court bail plea withdrawal
