Key Highlights
- Activist Umar Khalid has spent five years in custody since September 2020 under UAPA charges in the Delhi riots conspiracy case
- Delhi Police registered 751 separate FIRs for the 2020 riots that killed 53 people and injured over 700
- UAPA cases nationwide show a conviction rate of only 28.13% with highest acquittals recorded at 153 in 2022
Opening Overview: Legal System Under Scrutiny
The Umar Khalid Delhi riots larger conspiracy case has emerged as a defining moment for India’s criminal justice system, highlighting concerns about indefinite detention and investigative methods. Khalid, a former JNU student and activist, challenged the framing of charges on Thursday, telling Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai that he has endured five years in custody for what he termed a “joke of an FIR”. The case involves 20 accused persons, including activists Sharjeel Imam and Khalid Saifi, former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, and others allegedly involved in a larger conspiracy to incite the February 2020 Delhi riots.
The Umar Khalid Delhi riots case represents a complex web of legal proceedings where 12 individuals remain incarcerated under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), while their bail applications continue to face repeated rejections. Senior advocate Trideep Pais, representing Khalid, argued that the FIR lacks legal sanctity and alleged evidence fabrication to implicate his client. The case has drawn international attention, with human rights organizations questioning the prolonged detention and investigative practices in the Umar Khalid Delhi riots conspiracy case.
5 years in jail without trial.
— Hemani Bhandari (@HemaniBhandari) September 13, 2025
Umar Khalid, arrested under UAPA for alleged role in 2020 Delhi riots, remains in Tihar.
His mother recalls feeding him during brief bail releases, his partner visits weekly, his father worries about his future.
In today's @htTweets pic.twitter.com/KwgFl5w1TC
Allegations and Evidence Fabrication Claims
The prosecution’s case against participants in the Umar Khalid Delhi riots conspiracy centers on allegations of a premeditated plot to escalate anti-CAA protests into violent riots during then-US President Donald Trump’s visit to Delhi. According to the chargesheet filed by Delhi Police’s Special Cell, secret meetings were allegedly held where Khalid and others planned coordinated blockades and violence. The police claim that WhatsApp groups, pamphlets, and inflammatory speeches formed the foundation of the conspiracy in the Umar Khalid Delhi riots case.
However, defense lawyers have systematically challenged these allegations, with Pais arguing that the Umar Khalid Delhi riots investigation represents a case of “reverse engineering” where authorities first decided to target individuals and then fabricated evidence. The defense highlighted that some speeches attributed to Khalid in the chargesheet allegedly occurred while he was in police custody for unrelated matters. Legal experts have noted that the initial FIR in the Umar Khalid Delhi riots case did not contain non-bailable offenses, which were added only after the first set of accused received bail.
UAPA Framework and Conviction Statistics
The application of UAPA in the Umar Khalid Delhi riots larger conspiracy case reflects broader concerns about India’s anti-terrorism legislation and its impact on civil liberties. Government data reveals that between 2014-2022, only 215 convictions were secured out of 8,719 UAPA cases registered nationwide, while 567 cases resulted in acquittals. The conviction rate for UAPA cases stands at approximately 28.13%, with 2022 recording the highest number of acquittals at 153 cases.
The Umar Khalid Delhi riots case exemplifies how UAPA provisions allow extended pre-trial detention beyond conventional bail safeguards. Security experts attribute the low conviction rates to investigative complications and poor quality probes by state police forces, though the National Investigation Agency maintains a conviction rate above 90%. The prolonged nature of the Umar Khalid Delhi riots proceedings has prompted judicial observations about the limits of indefinite detention, with courts questioning “how long one can be in jail”.
Judicial Proceedings and Bail Denials
The judicial journey of the Umar Khalid Delhi riots conspiracy case has witnessed multiple bail denials across different court levels, creating a pattern of prolonged incarceration. On September 2, 2025, the Delhi High Court dismissed bail pleas of nine accused, including Khalid, stating that their roles in the conspiracy “prima facie appeared grave”. The Supreme Court has scheduled hearings for September 19, 2025, to consider bail applications from Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Meeran Haider, and Gulfisha Fatima in the Umar Khalid Delhi riots case.
Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai is currently hearing arguments on framing charges in the Umar Khalid Delhi riots conspiracy case, with proceedings expected to continue on September 17. The case involves five chargesheets totaling over 22,000 pages, with the Delhi Police Special Cell declaring the investigation complete in September 2024. Defense teams have cited various trial court orders in related Delhi riots cases where judges criticized investigative agencies while acquitting accused persons.
The Umar Khalid Delhi riots case has been complicated by the existence of 751 separate FIRs related to the February 2020 violence, leading to questions about the necessity of an additional conspiracy case. Courts have noted instances where police cases have fallen apart due to investigative lapses, with some judges even suggesting “false implication” of individuals in riot-related cases.
Final Perspective: Constitutional Questions and Justice Delayed
The Umar Khalid Delhi riots larger conspiracy case has evolved into a litmus test for India’s commitment to constitutional principles and fair trial guarantees. With 53 people killed and over 700 injured in the February 2020 violence, the pursuit of justice remains complicated by allegations of investigative overreach and prolonged detention without trial. The case highlights systemic issues within India’s criminal justice framework, where the balance between national security concerns and individual rights continues to generate debate among legal experts and human rights advocates.
As the Umar Khalid Delhi riots case proceeds through various judicial forums, it represents broader questions about the use of anti-terrorism laws in cases involving political dissent and civil rights activism. The international attention and domestic scrutiny surrounding this case may ultimately influence how India’s legal system approaches similar cases in the future, potentially setting precedents for the application of UAPA and the limits of pre-trial detention.
