Dr. Umar Khalid, a PhD degree holder from Jawaharlal Nehru University, completed 1000 days of imprisonment today on 9th June, 2023. The 35-year-old has been languishing in jail since 2020.
A program marking and condemning his unjust arrest was organised in Delhi by prominent activists, politicians and journalists, including senior journalist Ravish Kumar, MP Manoj Kumar Jha, poet-activist Nabiya Khan, author-activist Gurmehar Kaur, Umar’s father and Welfare Party of India’s president SQR Ilyas, and SC advocate, Sharukh Alam.
Khalid was very vocal about his anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) stance, he was among the 18 people who were accused of using anti-CAA protests as a tool to organise chakka jams, provoke communal riots to stop the central government from bringing into effect the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Umar Khalid’s name also comes up in the FIR of the February 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, in which 53 people were killed due to communal violence; out of which two-thirds victims were Muslims. And from the 18 accused for the conspiracy 16 are Muslims.
The Delhi Police have filed chargesheets against individuals accused under multiple sections of different laws, including the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Damage of Public Property Act, and Arms Act.
However, an article from March 2022 reported by Article 14, highlights significant issues with the chargesheets and witness statements. The arguments for and against bail lasted several months in district and high courts, revealing fabrications, inconsistencies, and witnesses who have lied or changed their accounts to fit a preconceived narrative.
Various Delhi courts, like Karkardooma etc, in different cases related to the Delhi riots, have granted bail while criticizing the police for providing vague evidence, making general allegations, conducting a substandard investigation, and displaying a lackadaisical attitude.
1000 days of Umar Khalid’s imprisonment does not bring hope but puts in perspective the long wait and uncertainty that lies before him, before he is finally free.
Source: Article 14
