Delhi riots case: 8 US lawmakers write to India’s envoy seeking bail, timely trial for Umar Khalid

Umar Khalid

• Eight US lawmakers urge India to grant bail to activist Umar Khalid
• Concerns raised over Khalid's five-year detention without trial under UAPA
• Delhi court grants Khalid interim bail for sister's wedding under strict conditions

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Eight Democratic members of the US Congress have reached out to India’s Ambassador in Washington, urging Indian authorities to grant bail to activist Umar Khalid and ensure that his trial begins without further delay, citing concerns over prolonged pretrial detention and adherence to international legal norms.

The letter, spearheaded by Representatives Jim McGovern and Jamie Raskin, raises questions about Khalid’s continued incarceration for more than five years without the start of trial under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Khalid, a former student of Jawaharlal Nehru University, was arrested in connection with the alleged larger conspiracy linked to the 2020 Delhi riots and has remained in custody since.

Besides McGovern and Raskin, the lawmakers who signed the communication include Chris Van Hollen, Peter Welch, Pramila Jayapal, Jan Schakowsky, Rashida Tlaib and Lloyd Doggett.

While emphasising their “respect for India’s democratic institutions,” the signatories questioned how such prolonged detention without trial aligns with international standards of justice and due process.

The lawmakers sought clarity on why judicial proceedings in Khalid’s case have yet to commence despite the passage of more than five years since his arrest. They also expressed concern over what they described as the extended use of pretrial detention under India’s anti-terror legislation and the broader implications for civil liberties.

“In the letter, the lawmakers pressed New Delhi to ensure that Khalid is afforded due process and that his case is heard in a fair and timely manner,” the appeal noted, stressing the importance of trials moving forward without undue delay.

McGovern later reiterated the demand publicly after meeting Khalid’s parents in Washington earlier this month. “Earlier this month, I met with the parents of Umar Khalid, who has been jailed in India for over five years without trial,” he wrote in a social media post. He added that he and Raskin were leading colleagues in calling on Indian authorities to grant Khalid bail and a fair, timely trial in line with international law.

The intervention by US lawmakers comes amid instances where Indian courts have allowed Khalid temporary relief. On December 11, a Delhi court granted him interim bail from December 16 to 29 so he could attend his sister’s wedding. According to a PTI report, Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai allowed the request in the case related to the alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 violence.

As part of the interim relief, the court directed Khalid to submit a personal bond of Rs 20,000 along with two sureties of the same amount. Several conditions were imposed during the bail period, including restrictions on social media use. Khalid was permitted to meet only family members, relatives and friends and was required to stay either at his residence or at venues linked to the wedding ceremonies.

The court further instructed that he must not contact any witnesses and should share his mobile phone number with the investigating officer. He was ordered to return to custody on the evening of December 29.

Khalid has previously received interim bail on comparable grounds. Last year, he was granted seven days of temporary release to attend another wedding, and similar relief was also extended to him in 2022.