What Supreme Court Said Denying Bail To Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam

The Supreme Court of India outlined key reasons for denying bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, observing that not all accused stand on the same footing in the case. The court said the evidence against Khalid and Imam appeared stronger, warranting a different treatment from five other accused who were granted bail. The bench noted that pre-trial detention is not a punishment and that the stage of proceedings does not justify bail in sensitive cases involving national security. It also stressed that prolonged incarceration alone cannot be the sole ground for bail under special laws like the UAPA. The Supreme Court clarified that it has not examined the merits of the case, which will be decided during the trial, but limited its observations to the prima facie material placed on record, including speeches, videos and digital evidence cited by the Delhi Police.