'Given enough time': Supreme Court raps Delhi Police for no response to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam's bail pleas

The top court asked police whether bail can be granted on the ground of delay in trial in cases where the accused are already in jail for over five years, NDTV reported.

A bench of Justices Aravind and NV Anjaria said as quoted by the broadcaster, "Frankly speaking, in bail matters, there is no question of filing counter."

"We have given you enough time. You may be appearing for the first time. Last time we said issue notice and we said in that open court that we will hear this matter on October 27th and will dispose it of," Justice Aravind said and added, "What is the question of a counter-affidavit in a bail matter?"

The court posted the hearing for Friday and asked police to file a counter-affidavit prior to that.

The riots had erupted on February 23, 2020 and continued till February 26 of the same year as the supporters of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and those against it clashed in the northeast part of the national capital and spread like a wildfire, inflicting massive loss of lives and property.

At least 53 people were killed, most of them Muslims.

Hundreds were injured, and homes, shops, and places of worship were burned or destroyed.

The violence involved stone pelting, arson, and shootings.

Many trials are still ongoing.

Some accused have been granted bail, while others remain in custody.