Umar Khalid. File picture
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The Delhi High Court on Friday (May 22, 2026) granted three-day interim bail to activist Umar Khalid, who is in custody in a case under anti-terror law UAPA [Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967] concerning the “larger conspiracy” behind the February 2020 riots in the capital.
The court permitted Mr. Khalid to be released from June 1 to June 3 to enable him to meet his mother who has to undergo a surgery.
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The court said that the Supreme Court rejected Mr. Khalid’s regular bail plea on January 5 but granted him the reprieve by taking an “empathetic view”.
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, argued that Mr. Khalid’s mother has to undergo a minor surgery and he should be permitted to visit her with a police escort.
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The court was hearing Mr. Khalid’s appeal against the trial court’s May 19 order that dismissed his interim bail plea.
He had urged the trial court to grant him 15 days’ interim bail to attend a 40-day post-death ritual of his uncle and take care of his mother, who has to undergo a surgery.
The trial court, however, opined that attending the ceremony of his deceased uncle was “not that necessary” and that other family members were available to take care of his mother.
Mr. Khalid was booked under the UAPA for being one of the “masterminds” of the February 2020 riots that had left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured.
Published – May 22, 2026 12:59 pm IST
