On January 5, 2025, the Supreme Court denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. They are accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots. The court said the serious nature of their alleged involvement does not allow bail at this stage. However, the court granted bail to five other accused: Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed. The judges said their roles were limited and less serious. Justice Aravind Kumar noted that Khalid and Imam had a "central" role in the alleged conspiracy. The court said Section 43(D)(5) of the UAPA sets a high bar for bail and requires careful scrutiny before relief can be granted. This is to ensure judicial restraint, as per the law. The case relates to the February 2020 Delhi riots which caused 53 deaths and many injuries. The police claimed the violence was a planned "regime-change operation" disguised as protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The accused sought bail similar to fellow activists Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita, and Asif Iqbal Tanha, who got bail in 2021. But the High Court had earlier refused this, saying Khalid and Imam had a more severe role. Senior advocates for the accused argued their long detention was unfair and like a pre-trial conviction. The Supreme Court decision reflects the seriousness with which the case is being treated, especially against Khalid and Imam.