Umar Khalid, Saifi discharged in 2020 Delhi riots case

Umar Khalid and activist Khalid Saifi will continue to remain in judicial custody as they are yet to get bail in a UAPA case.

Former JNU student Umar Khalid. (Express file)

A DELHI COURT on Saturday discharged former JNU student Umar Khalid and United Against Hate member Khalid Saifi in a case connected to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.

Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala pronounced the order in the riot case registered at Khajuri Khas police station. The two will, however, continue to remain in judicial custody as they are yet to get bail in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case.

The court also framed charges against former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, Liyakat Ali, Riyasat Ali, Shah Alam, Mohd Shadab, Mohd Abid, Rashid Saifi, Gulfam, Arshad Qayyum, Irshad Ahmad and Mohd Rihan under sections 120B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), 153A (punishment for knowingly carrying arms in any procession), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc), several sections of rioting, and other sections of the IPC. A detailed order in the case is awaited.

Reacting to the discharge order, Umar’s father SQR Ilyas said, “It is very good news. After a prolonged time of two years since he has been in jail, we got this good news. This is the result of hard work and perseverance of our legal team. He had got bail in this earlier also. He is in custody for the UAPA case and allegations are similar in both cases. We are hopeful he will be released in the UAPA case as well.”

Saifi’s wife, Nargis, said, “They filed a false case and after a long time we got victory. It is a slap on the police that the case was discharged. This is a god’s gift after such a long time. I can’t express my happiness.”

The case was registered on the basis of a statement by a constable who was on duty when a mob gathered in the Chand Bagh area on February 24, 2020. When the constable tried to save himself by seeking shelter at a local parking lot, the mob allegedly broke the shutter of the parking lot, assaulted the people inside and set vehicles on fire.

The prosecution had claimed that a building owned by former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain was used by the rioters for stone pelting. Umar and Saifi were alleged to be part of the criminal conspiracy, the prosecution had argued.

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Both Umar and Saifi were granted bail in this case in 2021. The court, while granting bail to Umar, had said that a witness blew the whistle of criminal conspiracy on Khalid “did not appeal to the senses”.

While dealing with the allegations of conspiracy hatched in a meeting between the accused persons, the court had noted that the witness “merely talks of some meeting between the applicant, co-accused Tahir Hussain and Khalid Saifi on January 8, 2020, however, the same does not disclose about the subject matter of such meeting”.

Anand Mohan J

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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