SC criticises its January verdict denying bail to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam

The Supreme Court has expressed serious reservations about its January verdict denying bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the alleged larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots. The court held that bail is the rule and jail is an exception, even in prosecutions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. It underlined that the January verdict failed to correctly apply binding principles laid down by a larger three-judge bench.