CPI(M) Slams Supreme Court Bail Denial to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam as ‘Violation of Natural Justice’

New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly criticised the Supreme Court’s denial of bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who have been incarcerated for over five years under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act UAPA without trial or conviction. The party described the decision as a violation of natural justice and a serious blow to constitutional guarantees of liberty and a speedy trial.

In a statement shared on X, the CPI(M) said prolonged pre-trial incarceration under a “draconian” law like the UAPA undermines the fundamental legal principle that bail is the rule and jail the exception. The party alleged that the continued use of the UAPA against dissenting voices reflects a disturbing pattern of repression and selective justice, reiterating its demand for the release of all political prisoners.

CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby also came down heavily on the ruling, terming it “shocking” and a “travesty of justice”. Referring to the court’s observation that “continued detention has not crossed constitutional impermissibility to override the statutory embargo”, Baby questioned whether languishing in jail for five years without any prospect of trial could be seen as constitutional.

He warned that the ruling effectively enables what he described as the BJP government’s repressive tactics aimed at silencing voices of dissent.

Drawing a sharp contrast, the CPI(M) leader pointed out that convicted rapist Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was granted parole once again on the same day. “At the same time, convicted rapist Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh walked out of jail today on his 15th parole since his conviction in 2017. This is shameful and unacceptable,” Baby said.

The statements from the CPI(M) have reignited debate over the prolonged incarceration of undertrials under stringent laws like the UAPA, as well as the perceived disparity in the treatment of political detainees and high-profile convicts within the criminal justice system.