A court in Delhi has allowed jailed activist Umar Khalid temporary relief, permitting him to attend his sister’s wedding later this month. On Thursday (December 11), the Karkardooma court granted him two weeks of interim bail even as hearings continue in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.

Additional sessions judge Sameer Bajpai approved Khalid’s bail from December 16 to 29, directing him to furnish a personal bond of Rs 20,000 along with two sureties of the same amount. The order also places clear restrictions on his movement and activity during this period.

“During the interim bail period, the applicant shall not use the social media. During the interim bail period, the applicant shall only meet his family members, relatives and friends. Further, he shall remain at his home or at the places where the ceremonies of marriage as mentioned by him will take place,” the court said, as quoted by Live Law.

The former JNU scholar had last received interim bail in December 2023, also for attending a family wedding. Khalid has been incarcerated for over five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), alongside co-accused Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima and Meeran Haider, in what investigators describe as the “larger conspiracy” case linked to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.

Meanwhile, at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, Delhi Police concluded its arguments in the matter, after which the bench reserved its verdict on the bail pleas.

The court indicated it intended to deliver its decision before the winter recess on December 19. So far, the accused have repeatedly been denied bail, with multiple hearings ending in adjournments.