New Delhi, Dec 11 (NationPress) A Delhi court has granted interim bail to Umar Khalid, a former JNU scholar and imprisoned student activist, allowing him to attend his sister's wedding. This decision comes as the Supreme Court is yet to announce its judgment on his regular bail application related to the 2020 North-East Delhi riots conspiracy case.

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

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

In granting the interim bail, the court mandated that he provide a personal bond of Rs 20,000 along with two sureties of the same amount.

The court specified, "The applicant shall avoid social media during the interim bail period and shall only interact with family, relatives, and friends."

Moreover, he is required to remain at home or attend the wedding venues as indicated by him. The court also instructed him to share his mobile number with the investigating officer and keep it active until the interim bail period concludes.

The judge further ordered Khalid to report back to the Superintendent of Prison in the relevant jail on the evening of December 29. Last December, he was granted a similar 7-day interim bail for a family wedding.

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

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

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed their requests, asserting that the violence was not a spontaneous uprising but a "well-planned, orchestrated" effort intended to attract international scrutiny during then-President Donald Trump’s visit.

The Delhi Police, in its counter-affidavit, labeled Khalid as a "key conspirator" and a "mentor" to others allegedly involved, claiming that WhatsApp messages and other evidence indicated a systematic attempt to disrupt public order and incite communal discord.

The apex court has allowed both parties to submit additional documents by December 18 while reserving judgment on the bail requests.