Trial Court Rejects 2020 Riot Accused’s Bail, Prompting High Court Review

On July 4, the trial court turned down the regular and interim bail requests of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, citing the Supreme Court's pending decision on bail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court noted that without a final judgment on the legal controversy, it could not grant bail. Both men, arrested in September 2020, remain in custody as the High Court now seeks the police’s reply.