India's Supreme Court on January 5, 2026, refused to grant bail to student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who have been in continuous judicial custody for over five years without trial in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots 'larger conspiracy' case. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria ruled that Khalid and Imam were on a 'qualitatively different footing' compared to others, attributing to them a 'central and formative role' in the alleged conspiracy. The Court found a prima facie case against them under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which significantly restricts bail. In contrast, the Supreme Court granted bail to five other co-accused in the same case: Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmed, noting that their continued incarceration was not indispensable for a fair trial. The ruling for Khalid and Imam also included a provision allowing them to renew their bail pleas after the examination of protected witnesses or upon the expiry of one year from the order's date, whichever occurs earlier. The Supreme Court's decision has ignited controversy and protests, particularly at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where both Khalid and Imam are alumni. Students at JNU allegedly raised objectionable and inflammatory slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, leading the university administration to seek an FIR from the Delhi Police. Critics and legal analysts have voiced concerns regarding the application of the UAPA, prolonged pre-trial detention, and the perceived inconsistency in judicial rulings on bail, raising questions about the balance between national security laws and fundamental rights in India.