The Supreme Court today deferred the hearing on the bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, and Meeran Haider, all accused in the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 Delhi riots.
The Bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice N.V. Anjaria expressed strong displeasure at the delay by Delhi Police in filing their response, declining their request for two weeks and instead fixing the next hearing for 31 October 2025. The Court directed the prosecution to file its counter-affidavit prior to the next hearing.
The accused in the original FIR include: Tahir Hussain, Umar Khalid, Khalid Saifi, Isharat Jahan, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, Shifa-Ur-Rehman, Asif Iqbal Tanha (granted bail in 2021), Shadab Ahmed, Tasleem Ahmed, Saleem Malik, Mohd. Saleem Khan, Athar Khan, Safoora Zargar (released on humanitarian grounds due to pregnancy), Sharjeel Imam, Faizan Khan, Devangana Kalita (granted bail), and Natasha Narwal (granted bail).
The petitioners, student activists associated with the anti-CAA movement, had moved the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court rejected their bail pleas on 2 September 2025, ruling that conspiratorial violence disguised as protest cannot be permitted. The accused are charged under both Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Indian Penal Code.
The High Court’s September 2 judgment denied bail to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Athar Khan, Khalid Saifi, Mohd. Saleem Khan, Shifa-Ur-Rehman, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, and Shadab Ahmed.
Case details:
1. Umar Khalid vs State of NCT of Delhi, SLP (Crl) No. 14165/2025
2. Gulfisha Fatima vs State (Govt. of NCT of Delhi), SLP (Crl) No. 13988/2025
3. Sharjeel Imam vs The State NCT of Delhi, SLP (Crl) No. 14030/2025
4. Meeran Haider vs The State NCT of Delhi, SLP (Crl) No. 14132/2025
5. Shifa Ur Rehman vs State of National Capital Territory, SLP (Crl) No. 14859/2025