SC: Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam on 'Different Footing', Denies Bail; 5 Others Get Relief

• Supreme Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots UAPA case, citing a "qualitatively different footing" and a prima facie case.
• The court granted bail to five other accused: Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed, noting their "hierarchy of participation."
• The Bench emphasized Article 21 and pre-trial incarceration, stating that while liberty is central, UAPA's Section 43D(5) sets conditions for bail.
• SC clarified that UAPA's Section 15 defining a "terrorist act" includes disrupting essential services and threatening the economy, not just death or destruction.
• Khalid and Imam can seek bail after protected witness examination or one year; trial court directed to ensure speedy trial without delay.

Why It Matters: SC denies bail to Khalid, Imam due to 'different footing' in Delhi riots case, grants to 5 others.