SC Bench Questions Earlier Apex Court Order Denying Bail to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam

A Supreme Court bench questioned a prior ruling denying bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, noting it ignored a binding 2021 precedent allowing bail due to trial delays under UAPA. The court criticized a stricter test, stressing bail remains the rule. Both activists have been jailed over six years without trial in the Delhi riots case, raising concerns about prolonged detention becoming punishment itself.