The Supreme Court has requested a response from the Delhi Police regarding the bail applications of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, and Meeran Haider. These individuals are accused in a case related to the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots in Delhi, which resulted in 53 deaths and over 700 injuries.

A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria is set to hear the matter on October 7. During the proceedings, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the petitioners, highlighted that they have been in custody for over three years. He urged the court to expedite the review of their bail pleas, noting that the activists have been imprisoned since the peak of the riots.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal also requested an earlier hearing date, aiming for a possible release by Diwali. He stated, "Please (List) before Diwali, so that they can be out by Diwali. They have all been there for more than five years."

Previously, the Delhi High Court had denied bail to Khalid and others on September 2, citing their alleged significant roles in the conspiracy. The court noted that both Khalid and Imam had made inflammatory speeches during the riots, which coincided with a visit from then US President Donald Trump. The prosecution claims that the accused used coded language to direct protesters and received funding for their activities.

The case has drawn attention due to the serious nature of the allegations, with the Delhi Police describing the accused as "intellectual architects" of the violence. The petitioners are also seeking parity with other activists who were granted bail in 2021, although the High Court had previously distinguished their cases from those of Khalid and Imam.