Bangalore Riot Case: SC Grants Bail to Two After Five Years, Criticizes Trial Delay; Questions Remain for Those Who Pleaded Guilty or Are on Default Bail
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has granted bail to two men accused in the 2020 DJ Halli riots in Bengaluru, citing prolonged incarceration without the start of their trial. The decision draws attention to delays in the judicial process and raises questions about the prosecution’s preparedness.
The accused, Karim Saddam and Zia-ur-Rehman, have been in custody since their arrest following violent incidents in August 2020, triggered by a controversial social media post. The riots caused significant property damage, including the burning of police vehicles and a Congress legislator’s house.
Prolonged Detention a Key Factor
The Supreme Court acted after the accused filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP). During hearings, the court noted that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had not filed any objections to the bail requests despite multiple chances. The defense argued that the accused had been held for over five years while the trial had not even begun, with charges only framed recently.
“The court took cognizance of the prolonged incarceration and the delayed start of the trial, questioning the continued detention,” said Advocate Rehmatullah Kotwal, representing several accused in the case. He added, “Once bail is granted, it remains in effect unless the court cancels it. This decision does not affect the ongoing trial.”
Kotwal also highlighted the wider implications: “The bail granted to Saddam and Rehmaan could set a precedent for the 37 to 39 other accused, allowing them to seek relief on similar grounds.” He noted that the Supreme Court’s reasoning focused on the basic principle that no one should be held for years without a trial.
Parents of Accused Speak on Their Struggles
Amid the legal developments, the parents of the accused have shared their perspective, emphasizing that they have received no financial support from politicians or external sources. “We have not received a single rupee from anyone else. All support for legal matters, including adjusting papers, came from Kotwal Sir. We are managing the situation ourselves,” one parent said.
The parents described the difficulties they face while navigating the legal process. One, who runs a small shop, said, “No one called us or invited us to any meetings, except for one or two times. We came to meet the officer on our own.” They also expressed frustration over unmet promises made by individuals regarding their children’s situation. “Some people made promises, but none have produced any positive results,” another parent stated.
Lessons for Other Riot Cases
The ruling also contrasts with other riot cases where bail is harder to obtain. Under Section 43D of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, courts have limited power to grant bail if a prima facie case is established. Kotwal advised, “For cases like the Hubli riots, higher courts may be the only way to seek release. Some already serving sentences could file for reductions, while others await decisions on pending bail cancellations.”
The judgment highlights systemic delays in criminal proceedings, reminding authorities of the principle that individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. In the 2020 Bangalore riots, legal outcomes have varied, with some accused obtaining bail after two to three years, underlining the slow pace of justice in mass violence cases.
🔹 Quotes from Advocate Rehmatullah Kotwal
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“The court took cognizance of the prolonged incarceration and delayed start of the trial, questioning why the accused were kept behind bars for five years without proceedings.”
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“Once bail is granted, it remains in effect unless it is cancelled by the court. This decision will not affect the ongoing trial but restores some balance to justice.”
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“The bail granted to Saddam and Rehmaan could set a precedent for the other 37 accused, giving them a fair chance to seek relief after years of waiting.”
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“No one should be held indefinitely without trial. Justice delayed is justice denied, and this case underlines that truth.”
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“For those facing similar charges under UAPA, like in the Hubli riots, higher courts may now serve as the only path to relief.”
🔹 Quotes from Parents of the Accused
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“We haven’t received a single rupee from anyone. All the legal help we got was from Kotwal Sir. We are struggling but managing on our own.”
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“No minister or official called us or offered help. We came to meet the officers ourselves, hoping someone would listen.”
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“People made promises to support us, but nothing came of them. We feel forgotten in this long legal fight.”
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“Our sons have been in jail for years, and we’ve waited helplessly. The bail order has given us some hope, but the struggle isn’t over.”
