New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday postponed the hearing of bail pleas filed by activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, and Meeran Haider in connection with the UAPA case linked to the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 Delhi riots. The bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N. V. Anjaria adjourned the matter to September 19, citing late receipt of case files. The petitioners had approached the apex court after the Delhi High Court, on September 2, dismissed their bail applications, ruling that “conspiratorial violence” under the pretext of protests could not be condoned.

The High Court’s rejection of bail extended to nine individuals, including Khalid, Imam, Fatima, Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Abdul Khalid Saifi, Shadab Ahmed, and Meeran Haider. Another accused, Tasleem Ahmed, also saw his plea dismissed by a separate bench the same day. In its ruling, the High Court reiterated that while Article 19 of the Constitution protects the right to protest, such freedoms must remain peaceful, lawful, and within reasonable limits. It further observed that unfettered protests risk undermining public order and the constitutional framework.

All the accused, who have consistently denied the charges, remain behind bars since 2020 under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Authorities allege they were among the masterminds of the riots that erupted amid anti-CAA and NRC demonstrations, leaving 53 people dead and over 700 injured. The long delay in securing bail has sparked ongoing debates about civil liberties, state accountability, and the thin line between dissent and sedition, making the upcoming Supreme Court hearing on September 19 a closely watched development.