New Delhi, May 22 (H.S.): A bench of the Supreme Court of India headed by Justice Aravind Kumar reserved its order on the bail pleas of Khalid Saifi and Tasleem Ahmad, who are accused of conspiring in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots.

During the hearing, counsel appearing for Tasleem Ahmad argued that his client had no role in any larger conspiracy. In response, the court observed that this effectively meant he was seeking parity with the judgment delivered in the case of Gulfisha Fatima.

Counsel for Tasleem Ahmad further submitted that he had made efforts to expedite the trial proceedings and alleged that attempts were now being made to link him with Umar Khalid.

During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju stated that interim bail could be considered, adding that Tasleem Ahmad did not fall within the same category as Umar Khalid.

The bail plea of Khalid Saifi had earlier been rejected by the Delhi High Court on April 8, 2025. Saifi is the founder of United Against Hate.

The Special Cell of the Delhi Police had registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against Umar Khalid, Ishrat Jahan, Khalid Saifi, Safoora Zargar, Gulfisha Fatima, Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita and Tahir Hussain in connection with the alleged conspiracy behind the riots.

At least 53 people lost their lives and several others were injured during the Delhi riots that erupted in February 2020.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar