New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in a case linked to the alleged “larger conspiracy” behind the 2020 northeast Delhi anti-Muslim riots. Both activists have been in custody for over six years without trial in the case.

A bench comprising Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Dinesh Bhatt dismissed their bail applications, marking the third rejection of their pleas by the High Court. The bench held that it could not modify the Supreme Court’s January 5 order, which directed the accused to seek bail only after the examination of protected witnesses was completed or one year had elapsed from the date of the order, whichever is earlier.

Khalid and Imam face charges under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly masterminding the February 2020 violence. The riots left 53 people dead, including 36 Muslims, and injured more than 700. The violence erupted amid protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019 and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The Delhi Police’s Special Cell is probing the larger conspiracy case. Others booked include activist Khalid Saifi and former Aam Aadmi Party councillor Tahir Hussain.