SC seeks Delhi Police reply on bail pleas of Imam, Khalid in 2020 riots conspiracy case

A bench of justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria sought their responses by October 7, after the petitioners’ lawyers pointed out that they hope to be out before Diwali this year after almost five years of pre-trial incarceration.

At the outset, Justice Kumar apologised for not being able to take up the matter last Friday (September 19). He explained that the case could not proceed since the puisne judge of the bench, Justice Manmohan, had opted to recuse, citing his earlier association as an advocate in the chamber of senior counsel Kapil Sibal, who represents one of the petitioners.

Sibal appears for Khalid while senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi represents Gulfishan Fatima. Senior counsel Siddharth Dave represents Imam in the case.