BJP welcomes SC decision rejecting bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday (January 5, 2026) welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to turn down the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case and highlighted the court’s observation that the prosecution material disclosed a prima facie allegation against them.

At a press conference, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla asked if the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party would apologise to the families whose members were killed in the riots.

“Today, an important decision has come from the Supreme Court on this very issue, and after this decision, the so-called tukde-tukde gang in the country is feeling deep sorrow and pain,” he said, adding that letters and remarks of sympathy were coming from abroad for the accused.

“The court further said that this case stands on a qualitatively different level, meaning it is not an ordinary crime, but an extremely serious offence akin to breaking the country into pieces, and should be viewed from that perspective. The Supreme Court also remarked that the manner in which these acts were carried out makes it clear that the riots in Delhi were neither coincidental nor accidental events, but were deliberate and well-thought-out acts,” said Mr. Poonawalla.

He said the entire episode was an example of the biggest industry of “anti-Hindu” sentiment and the vote-bank factor.

“The riots that took place in Delhi were neither spontaneous nor organic, but were completely sponsored and organised. There was a clear intent behind them, as has been seen in several countries in recent years, and for which leaders of parties like the Congress and the Samajwadi Party openly or covertly offer prayers and supplications, hoping for a violent overthrow of power,” he alleged.

“Tahir Hussain, from whose house petrol bombs and other objectionable materials were recovered, was a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party and was considered close to Arvind Kejriwal. In fact, AAP MP Sanjay Singh had held a press conference and said that Tahir Hussain was being framed because he was a Muslim. In such a situation, this question also arises for the Aam Aadmi Party as to whether such rioters, terrorists, and elements with a jihadi mindset were being given protection solely because of the ‘M’ factor,” he said.