Umar Khalid, a former Jawaharlal Nehru University student activist, has been incarcerated in Delhi's Tihar Jail for six years as of June 2026. He is held under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots, but has not yet faced trial. His prisoner number is 626714.
Khalid's case has drawn international attention from human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which have called for his release or a fair trial. The Indian government maintains that the charges are based on evidence of conspiracy to incite violence.
In a recent interview, Khalid described prison life as hardest at sunset, when inmates are forced into the yard. He stated, 'Humanity is a privilege,' reflecting on the conditions of prolonged detention without conviction.
As of June 30, 2026, no trial date has been set. The case remains pending in a Delhi court, with bail applications repeatedly denied.
