The Supreme Court’s refusal to grant bail to student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case has triggered a sharp political divide, with the BJP calling the ruling a confirmation of its long-held stand, while the Congress questioned the fairness of continued incarceration without trial.

Senior BJP leaders said the verdict reflected the court’s careful assessment of evidence related to the alleged conspiracy behind the riots. BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that the apex court had examined the prosecution’s material in depth before concluding that the case did not warrant bail. According to him, the court’s observations indicate that the accused were not peripheral figures but were allegedly central to the planning of the violence.

Delhi ministers also welcomed the ruling, calling it proof that the 2020 violence was not spontaneous. Kapil Mishra said the judgment strengthens the argument that the riots were the result of deliberate planning. Another minister, Ashish Sood, went further, demanding accountability from political parties and leaders who had previously shared platforms with Sharjeel Imam, asserting that the nation deserves answers.

Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the decision sends a strong message that those accused of inciting violence should not be treated lightly. He contrasted the current approach with previous governments, claiming strict law enforcement under the BJP discourages impunity.

In contrast, Congress leaders expressed concern over the verdict, focusing on the length of incarceration rather than the allegations. Congress leader Udit Raj argued that nearly five years in jail without a completed trial raises serious questions about justice and due process. He claimed the investigation has failed to identify all those responsible and alleged selective targeting in the case.

Other Congress leaders adopted a more restrained tone. Naseemuddin Siddiqui said that while he was not fully aware of the evidence presented, the Supreme Court’s decision would have been based on legal merits. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai declined to comment on the substance of the ruling, stating that court verdicts must be respected.