Delhi High Court Grants Interim Bail To Mohd Saleem Khan In Delhi Riots Case

The Delhi High Court granted interim bail to Mohammad Saleem Khan, accused of masterminding the 2020 Delhi riots, for 10 days to arrange for his daughter’s law education fees.

The court, consisting of Justice Naveen Chawla and Justice Shalinder Kaur, ordered Khan to provide a personal bond of ₹20,000 and a surety of the same amount.

This decision is part of Khan’s ongoing legal battle concerning the violent events surrounding the Delhi riots.

Case Background

Mohammad Saleem Khan is one of the accused in a larger conspiracy case related to the Delhi riots that took place in February 2020.

The case includes multiple individuals facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for their involvement in the riots.

Khan has been in custody since his arrest in 2020.

Khan’s defense argued that the court should grant him temporary bail to arrange ₹1.75 lakh for his daughter’s law fees at Jamia Hamdard University.

Court Proceedings

Khan’s lawyer informed the court that he had been granted interim bail multiple times before and had never misused the privilege.

However, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad opposed the bail, highlighting Khan’s involvement in vandalism, including damaging CCTV cameras, and the rejection of his prior bail requests by the court.

Khan’s lawyer argued that this interim bail would allow him to arrange for his daughter’s educational fees and sell a ₹16 lakh share of his business.

Impact Of The Decision

The interim bail granted by the Delhi High Court provides Khan a brief respite to make the necessary arrangements for his daughter’s education.

Khan has maintained that his daughter’s education is paramount for her future, and this temporary release will allow him to fulfill this responsibility.

Khan is among several high-profile individuals, including Tahir Hussain, Umar Khalid, Shadab Ahmad, and others, facing charges in connection with the Delhi riots.

The case sparks intense debates about freedom of expression, political dissent, and the legal framework under which authorities charge individuals in the context of communal violence.

In light of these discussions, as the case progresses, the decision to grant Khan interim bail marks a critical moment in the ongoing legal proceedings.

Moreover, the outcome will have broader implications for how temporary releases are granted to those accused of severe crimes under the UAPA and other related laws.

For now, Khan has 10 days to arrange for his daughter’s fees, after which he will have to return to custody, highlighting the temporary nature of his relief amidst the broader legal context.

Also Read: Supreme Court To Address Armed Forces Medical Reservation Petition