Top News

New Delhi: The Supreme Court granted six months’ interim bail to two accused in the Delhi riots case on Friday. It also referred to a larger bench on whether a person can be kept under custody for long, even as trials get delayed due to strict bail limits.

During the hearing, the bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale decided not to make any observations on the recent order delivered by Justice BV Nagarathna. During the ruling, Justice Nagarathna had criticised the January 5 judgment in which bail was denied to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.

The bench observed that the refusal of bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam was made after they were accessed individual and their alleged role in the incident, Hindustan Times reported. The apex court granted six months of interim bail to Abdul Khalid Saifi and Tasleem Ahmad.

The bench further said that the prosecution may approach for cancellation of bail if both the accused fail to follow conditions laid down for them by the court. It also said that the matter be placed before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant to set up a suitable bench for the legal question.

Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court granted three days’ interim bail to Umar Khalid from June 1 to 3 to attend his mother, who is to undergo a surgery. It allowed him interim bail on the personal bond of Rs 1 lakh. It also Khalid to remain within the National Capital Region (NCR)

During the hearing, the bench comprising Division Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Madhu Jain, while taking an empathetic view of the matter, the court is inclined to grant interim bail for three days to enable the appellant to spend time with his mother