Overview Athar Khan , an accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case , has filed a bail application in a New Delhi court. He is seeking parity with five other accused who were recently granted bail by the Supreme Court . The application argues that he faces similar charges and should be treated equally. Key Developments Bail Application: Filed by Athar Khan , a former call centre employee. Accusations: Allegedly a main organizer of the protest at Chand Bagh and delivered inflammatory speeches. Legal Basis: Seeking parity based on the Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to other accused facing similar charges. Police Allegations: Accused of participating in secret meetings and coordinating the destruction of CCTV cameras. Charges: Faces charges of criminal conspiracy, among others. Other Accused: Named in an FIR related to the killing of Head Constable Ratan Lal . Hearing Date: The court has listed the bail application for hearing on January 19, 2026 . Supreme Court Decision: Granted bail to five accused but denied relief to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam . Background of the Case The 2020 Delhi riots were a series of violent clashes that occurred in North East Delhi in February 2020 . The riots were sparked by protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) . The case involves multiple accused individuals charged with various offenses, including criminal conspiracy and rioting. Accusations Against Athar Khan According to the Delhi Police Special Cell , Athar Khan allegedly participated in secret meetings where he stated that "the time has come to burn Delhi." He is also accused of coordinating the destruction of CCTV cameras in the area. The police claim that he was one of the main organizers and speakers at the anti-CAA/NRC meeting. Legal Proceedings The court has framed charges of criminal conspiracy against Athar Khan . His bail application is based on the argument that he should be treated similarly to the five accused who were granted bail by the Supreme Court . However, the court must consider whether all the accused stand on the same footing, as the Supreme Court has indicated that this is not the case for all individuals involved. UPSC Relevance This news article is relevant to the UPSC Civil Services Exam as it touches upon issues related to law and order, internal security, and the judicial process. It also highlights the complexities of cases involving communal violence and the challenges of balancing individual rights with the need to maintain public order. The case involves the application of laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) , which is an important topic for the GS3 syllabus . Important Facts Date of News: Published on January 14, 2026 . Accused: Athar Khan , along with others, is accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case . Supreme Court: Granted bail to five accused on January 5, 2026 . Charges: Criminal conspiracy and other offenses. UAPA: Applied in the case against some accused, including Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam .