Delhi Court Denies Bail to 2020 Riots Accused

A Delhi court has denied bail to Saleem Malik, Athar Khan, and former India===Aam Aadmi Party councillor Tahir Hussain, who are accused in the larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi riots. The trio sought bail citing parity with five other accused who were granted relief by the India===Supreme Court of India. However, Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai rejected their applications, noting that not all accused stand on the same footing. The accused are charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for their alleged involvement in organizing protests, delivering inflammatory speeches, and coordinating violence during the riots. The India===Delhi Police's Special Cell presented evidence against them, particularly Athar Khan, for his role in organizing protests and destroying CCTV cameras. Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam were also previously denied bail by the India===Supreme Court of India under similar UAPA charges.