Former Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Umar Khalid has remained in Delhi’s Tihar Jail for nearly six years after his September 2020 arrest in a “larger conspiracy” case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots. He has not been convicted of any offence, and the main trial remains at an early stage. Khalid faces charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, along with allegations including criminal conspiracy, rioting and promoting enmity between groups.

Delhi Police allege that Khalid and others conspired to incite violence during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, including during then US President Donald Trump’s visit to India. Khalid denies involvement in the riots or any conspiracy. His supporters have also questioned some evidence and videos in the case. The February 2020 violence killed 53 people, most of them Muslims, according to the report.

Khalid has returned to the Delhi High Court in what is described as his eighth bail attempt, with a hearing expected in late August after police were asked to respond. The Supreme Court granted bail to five co-accused on January 5, 2026, but not to Khalid or activist Sharjeel Imam, saying their positions differed. Rights groups have raised concerns about lengthy pretrial detention and UAPA’s strict bail provisions.