2,000 Days Without Conviction: The Umar Khalid Supreme Court Bail Denial

Is the legal process itself becoming the punishment in the world's largest democracy? On January 5, 2026, the Indian Supreme Court denied bail to activist and scholar Umar Khalid. This decision ensures he remains in Delhi's Tihar jail after nearly 2,000 days of pre-trial detention. According to reports from The Diplomat, the ruling marks a normalization of indefinite imprisonment without a conviction.

Umar Khalid Supreme Court Bail Denial and the UAPA

Khalid was arrested in September 2020 following nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), a law critics describe as discriminatory against Muslims. The government slapped Khalid with 29 charges, including terrorism and sedition, under the controversial Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). This law has been frequently used to silence dissenters due to its intentionally vague definitions.

While the court denied Khalid bail, it released five of his co-defendants, including Gulfisha Fatima and Meeran Haider. The prosecution's evidence against Khalid remains under fire, as it relies on his use of the word 'revolution' in a speech and his silent presence in a WhatsApp group chat. This selective application of justice has sparked global concern.

Global Pressure on the Modi Government

Khalid's case has garnered significant international attention, with eight U.S. lawmakers and numerous human rights organizations calling for his release. Critics argue that the Modi government is weaponizing anti-terror laws to crush dissent. For India to maintain its standing in the 21st century, it must demonstrate that its legal system can tolerate and protect peaceful opposition.