Justice Amit Sharma of the Delhi High Court recused himself on Monday from hearing the bail petition of former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) scholar Umar Khalid in the Delhi riots conspiracy case. The case was scheduled for consideration before the Division Bench, which includes Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma.
Justice Sharma had previously recused himself from handling bail petitions for other Delhi riots accused, including Sharjeel Imam and Meeran Haider.
Khalid, who has been in custody since September 2020, faces charges of criminal conspiracy, rioting, unlawful assembly, and various offenses under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). His initial bail application was denied by the trial court in March 2022. The High Court also rejected his plea in October 2022, leading him to appeal to the Supreme Court.
In May 2023, the Supreme Court requested a response from the Delhi Police regarding his plea, which was subsequently adjourned 14 times. On February 14, 2024, Khalid withdrew his bail plea from the Supreme Court, citing changing circumstances, and decided to seek relief from the trial court instead. The Supreme Court bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal was informed of this decision by Khalid's counsel, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal. The trial court denied Khalid's second bail application on May 28.
TAGS: Justice Amit Sharma Delhi High Court Umar Khalid bail plea Delhi riots recusal JNU scholar UAPA Supreme Court trial court bail rejection.