New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday postponed the bail hearing for Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and several other accused in the UAPA case connected to the Northeast Delhi riots of 2020. The session was set to discuss multiple bail pleas but was adjourned due to the absence of the appointed bench.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the cases were scheduled for a new hearing under a freshly constituted bench that includes Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Shalinder Kaur. The court was also expected to address bail applications from co-accused Muhammad Saleem Khan, Shifa ur Rehman, Shadab Ahmed, Athar Khan, Khalid Saifi, and Gulfisha Fatima. Additionally, a plea by the Delhi Police challenging the bail of Ishrat Jahan was on the day’s agenda.

Unfortunately, the proceedings were delayed as Justices Chawla and Kaur did not preside, leading the court master to set November 25 as the next date for the hearing. This date will now see the comprehensive review of all related pleas.

Previously, in July 2024, the matter concerning Umar Khalid’s bail was brought before a division bench consisting of Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Amit Sharma. However, after Justice Sharma excused himself from the case, it was rescheduled to be heard by a different bench on another date. Justice Sharma had earlier recused himself from hearing similar bail petitions due to his prior role as a Special Public Prosecutor for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in various UAPA cases.

The series of adjournments and the need for recusal have prolonged the legal battles for Khalid, who sought to appeal to the High Court after his initial bail request was denied by the trial court. This move followed his decision to withdraw an earlier plea from the Supreme Court, which also faced adjournments and a recusal from a senior judge.