New Delhi, Dec 11 (NationPress) A Delhi court on Thursday permitted interim bail for former JNU scholar and imprisoned student activist Umar Khalid to attend his sister's wedding. This decision comes as the Supreme Court has yet to reach a verdict on his regular bail request related to the 2020 North-East Delhi riots 'larger conspiracy' case.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sameer Bajpai of the Karkardooma Courts approved Khalid's application for interim bail from December 16 to 29, subject to stringent conditions, including a prohibition on social media usage.

Khalid, who has been incarcerated since September 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various IPC sections, sought temporary release to participate in his sister's wedding festivities.

While granting the interim bail, the court instructed him to provide a personal bond of Rs 20,000 alongside two sureties of the same amount.

"The applicant shall refrain from using social media during the interim bail period. He may only meet family members, relatives, and friends.

"Moreover, he must remain at his home or at the venues of the marriage ceremonies as specified by him," the court stated, adding the requirement for him to share his mobile number with the investigating officer and keep it operational until the interim bail's expiration.

The judge additionally mandated Khalid to report back to the Superintendent of Prison at the designated jail on the evening of December 29. Last December, the court had granted him a similar 7-day interim bail for family wedding attendance.

Khalid is among several student activists, including Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Shadab Ahmed, and Mohd. Saleem Khan, who have been detained for over five years in connection with the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 North-East Delhi riots.

Just a day earlier, the Supreme Court reserved its decision on the collection of petitions submitted by Khalid, Imam, and others contesting the Delhi High Court's refusal to grant them regular bail.

In opposition to their requests, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the violence was not a "spontaneous riot," but rather a "well-designed, well-crafted, orchestrated, preplanned" attack intended to attract international attention during the visit of then US President Donald Trump.

The Delhi Police, in its counter-affidavit, labeled Khalid a "key conspirator" and a "mentor" to others allegedly involved in the conspiracy, asserting that WhatsApp communications and other evidence indicated a coordinated effort to disrupt public order and create communal divisions.

The apex court has permitted both parties to submit additional documentation by December 18 while reserving judgment on the bail applications.