Imprisoned for over four years and still waiting for trial Umar Khalid remains behind bars in connection with the alleged conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi riots.
On Friday, many people took to social media to observe the fourth year of rights activist Umar Khalid’s imprisonment as he awaits trial in connection with a conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi riots.
Khalid, along with 11 others, remains jailed under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), despite the Supreme Court repeatedly affirming that “bail is the rule, jail is the exception,” as seen in cases like that of AAP MLA Manish Sisodia, who was granted bail in a corruption case.
To mark the fourth anniversary of Khalid’s arrest, Lalit Vachani’s documentary Prisoner No. 626710 is Present, focused on Khalid’s story, was screened at the Congress’s Jawahar Bhavan auditorium.
Throughout the week, many supporters have updated their social media profile pictures to Khalid’s image, accompanied by the message: “Four Years of Injustice. Free Umar! Release All Dissenters.”
Actress Swara Bhasker took to X, stating: “Today marks 4 years since #UmarKhalid has been imprisoned without bail, trial, or any proven crime. This is a grave injustice in a country that claims to be a democracy. It’s a disgrace and a damning reflection of our justice system.”
Many others shared similar messages, along with photos and posters of the former JNU research scholar.
Academic and activist Yogendra Yadav also posted a video on X, remarking: “These four years are a blot on our judicial system and India’s Constitution.”
Anupam, from the Yuva Halla Bol movement, shared on X a letter he received from Khalid in 2022. Reflecting on it, he said: “As my friend Khalid completes four years in jail, I came across this heartfelt letter he wrote to me when I was in Tihar jail during our protest against the Agnipath scheme. While I’ve since been released, he continues to endure injustice without trial or bail for a crime he didn’t commit.”
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