Five Years in Tihar Without Trial: Umar Khalid Marks a Grim Milestone

Former student leader and prominent face of the anti-CAA-NRC protests, Umar Khalid, has now completed five years in Tihar Jail without a trial. Arrested in September 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the Delhi riots conspiracy case, Khalid continues to remain behind bars as hearings are repeatedly delayed.

Civil rights activists, student groups, and several political leaders have expressed concern that prolonged incarceration without trial violates fundamental principles of justice and the right to a speedy trial. They argue that keeping an individual imprisoned for years without concluding evidence hearings sets a dangerous precedent for democracy.

Supporters of Khalid recall his role as a vocal critic of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). They see his prolonged detention as part of a larger attempt to stifle dissent and silence political voices.

Legal experts point out that while courts have granted bail to several co-accused in related cases, Khalid’s bail plea has faced repeated rejections. As he enters his sixth year in prison without trial, the case has sparked a larger debate about civil liberties, dissent, and due process in India’s justice system.