Delhi High Court grants interim bail to Umar Khalid for 3 days to visit mother in hospital

New Delhi, May 22: The Delhi High Court on Friday granted interim bail to Delhi riots conspiracy case accused Umar Khalid for three days to visit his mother in hospital during her medical surgery

A Division Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Madhu Jain passed the order.

“Taking an empathetic view of the matter that the appellant’s mother is to undergo surgery, the court is inclined to grant interim bail for a period of 3 days [June 1 to June 3] in order to enable the appellant to spend time with his mother.”

The Court made it clear that Khalid should stay at this address and can only visit his mother in the hospital and cannot go to any other place.

“He is required to pay a personal bond and surety of ₹1 lakh. He shall remain in national capital region and stay at his address. He shall not be allowed to visit any other location other than the hospital. He shall have only one mobile number,” the Court directed.

Khalid moved the High Court against a sessions court’s May 19 order rejecting his plea.

He sought 15 days’ interim bail to attend to his ailing mother during her medical surgery and to take part in the Chehlum ritual of his uncle who died last month.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for Delhi Police, opposed the plea.

“Surgery (of mother) seems to be minor. There are five sisters who can look after her. He can go with a police escort for a day,” Raju said.

“Where are the medical documents? What is the nature of the surgery?” the Court asked.

“Cyst on the back,” Khalid’s counsel, Senior Advocate Trideep Pais, replied.

Khalid was arrested in September 2020 and charged with criminal conspiracy, rioting, unlawful assembly, as well as several other offences under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

He is yet to secure regular bail in the matter. (Bar and Bench)