New Delhi: Activist Umar Khalid, who has been detained under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case, has moved to the Supreme Court to challenge the provisions of this anti-terror law.
Khalid has been in custody since September 2020 due to his alleged involvement in the riots.
The case in question relates to violent clashes that erupted in North East Delhi from February 23 to February 26, 2020. These clashes occurred between individuals supporting the Citizenship Amendment Act and those opposing it, resulting in 53 fatalities and hundreds of injuries, with the majority of the deceased being Muslims.
The Delhi Police have asserted that the violence was part of a broader conspiracy to defame Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
Khalid, who was arrested by the Delhi Police on September 13, 2020, is also seeking bail, contending that he played no role in the violence and had no "conspiratorial connect" with other accused individuals in the case, reported Live Law.
Khalid's appeal to the Supreme Court follows the denial of his bail request by the Delhi High Court in October.
The case was first brought before the Supreme Court on May 18, and it has been adjourned six times since then for various reasons, including requests from the police for additional time to submit a counter-affidavit, a judge recusing himself from the hearing, listing the case on a miscellaneous day, and the unavailability of Khalid's legal counsel.
Despite the repeated adjournments, the Supreme Court has stressed that in matters affecting the liberty of citizens, prompt action by the courts is crucial.