After relief from Supreme Court to others, another Delhi riots accused files bail plea seeking parity

Overview The Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to five individuals accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case has spurred further legal action. Salim Malik alias Munna , another accused, has filed a fresh bail application, arguing that he faces similar charges as one of those released and should be granted parity. This development raises important questions about the application of justice and the interpretation of evidence in cases involving multiple accused. Key Developments Bail Application by Salim Malik Salim Malik , identified as one of the alleged organizers and speakers of the anti-CAA/NRC meeting, has applied for bail before an Additional Sessions Judge. The application cites the Supreme Court's decision on January 5, 2026 , to grant bail to co-accused Saleem Khan , arguing that Mr. Malik's situation is comparable. Basis for Application: The application contends that the prosecution's case against Mr. Malik positions him as a local operative associated with meetings at the Chand Bagh protest site, similar to Saleem Khan. Allegations Against Malik: Mr. Malik is allegedly involved in arson at a car showroom on February 24, 2020 , in northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura area. Court Hearing: The court has scheduled a hearing on Mr. Malik's bail application for January 8 . Supreme Court's Previous Bail Order The bail application emphasizes that the Supreme Court's order noted that the actions of the accused who were granted bail were primarily based on directives issued by others. Mr. Malik's application argues that there is no evidence suggesting he had autonomous authority over the larger conspiracy or occupied a position of strategic escalation. Parity Argument: The application claims that the activities alleged against Mr. Malik do not indicate that he functioned as a conduit between principal architects and secondary actors, as observed by the Supreme Court in Saleem Khan's case. Prayer for Bail: The application requests that Mr. Malik be released on regular bail based on parity with the bail granted to Mohd. Saleem Khan on January 5, 2025 . Supreme Court's Stance on Other Accused The Supreme Court had granted bail to five accused – Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmad – categorizing them as 'facilitators.' However, it denied relief to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam , stating that all accused do not stand on the same footing. Status of Other Accused Out of the 20 accused named in the case, two are still absconding. Of the remaining 18 who applied for bail, seven are still in prison, including Mr. Malik, Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, former Aam Aadmi Party leader Tahir Hussain, Athar Khan, Tasleem Ahmed, and Khalid Saifi. Tahir Hussain's bail application is pending in the Karkardooma Court. Trial Court's Previous Decision Charges were framed against Mr. Malik on July 24, 2023 , when the trial court stated that discharging him at the final stages of the trial would be unmerited. Conditions Imposed by the Supreme Court The Supreme Court imposed several conditions while granting bail, including: Each accused must execute a personal bond of ₹2 lakh with two local sureties of the like sum to the satisfaction of the trial court. They must remain within the National Capital Territory of Delhi and not leave its territorial limits without prior permission of the trial court. Prima Facie Case Against Khalid and Imam The bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria stated that there was a prima facie case against Mr. Khalid and Mr. Imam under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) . UPSC Relevance This news article is relevant to GS2 (Polity and Governance) and GS3 (Internal Security) . It highlights the complexities of the criminal justice system, the role of the judiciary in safeguarding civil liberties, and the implications of laws like the UAPA. The case also touches upon issues related to social movements, public order, and the balance between national security and individual freedoms. Important Facts The Supreme Court granted bail to five accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case on January 5, 2026 . Salim Malik has filed a bail application seeking parity with co-accused Saleem Khan . Mr. Malik is accused of being one of the organizers of the anti-CAA/NRC meeting. The Supreme Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam . Charges were framed against Mr. Malik on July 24, 2023 . The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is invoked in the case.