The Supreme Court on Friday deferred the hearing of bail pleas filed by former JNU student leaders Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. Both Khalid and Imam have been in custody for over three years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

A bench led by Justice Bela M Trivedi adjourned the matter to September 19 after stating that it required more time to consider the arguments and documents placed on record. Senior advocates appearing for the petitioners urged the court to expedite the matter, highlighting the prolonged incarceration of the accused without trial.

Khalid and Imam, along with several others, have been charged under stringent provisions of the UAPA for their alleged role in orchestrating the riots, which broke out in northeast Delhi in February 2020. The violence had claimed more than 50 lives and left hundreds injured.

The bail pleas have been pending before the apex court for months, with repeated adjournments drawing criticism from rights groups and activists who have called for faster judicial review. The outcome of the case is being closely watched as it is expected to set a precedent in matters involving stringent anti-terror laws.