Supreme Court Dismisses Accused Shadab Ahmed's Plea to Attend Law Classes in Ghaziabad

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-10-26 15:19:00

The Supreme Court of India on Monday, October 26, 2026, dismissed an application filed by Shadab Ahmed, an accused in the 2020 Northeast Delhi communal violence conspiracy case, seeking relaxation of his bail conditions to travel outside the National Capital Territory to attend law classes in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. A two-judge bench comprising Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi took a stern view of the petition and refused to dilute the territorial mobility restrictions imposed on the accused during the pendency of the criminal trial. Observing the firm stance taken by the apex court bench, counsel representing Ahmed requested permission to withdraw the application, which the court subsequently allowed as withdrawn while granting liberty to approach the trial court for appropriate relief.

Supreme Court Makes Sharp Remarks Over Ghaziabad Law College Admission

During the arguments, the division bench firmly declined to alter the bail parameters that prohibit the applicant from exiting Delhi's geographical limits until the conclusion of the trial:

Judicial Observation on College Choice: Presiding over the matter, Justice Arvind Kumar questioned the underlying motive behind seeking admission outside the capital, remarking directly to Ahmed’s counsel: "We will not make any changes in this... We know why you took admission in that college leaving behind all the law colleges in Delhi."

Refusal to Modify Core Conditions: The bench noted that maintaining judicial oversight over accused persons facing serious anti-terror charges requires strict adherence to spatial restrictions, dismissing any mid-trial leniency regarding interstate travel.

Withdrawal Allowed: Taking note of the court's unwillingness to provide discretionary relief, the defense attorney opted to withdraw the petition, which was formally dismissed as withdrawn by the bench.

Defense Cites Delhi University Rejection and Academic Reform

The defense attempted to frame the request around personal rehabilitation and academic progression:

Arguments for Educational Pursuit: Ahmed’s legal representative submitted before the bench that the accused had initially attempted to secure admission into the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) program at Delhi University, but could not secure a seat.

Ghaziabad Enrollment: Following the rejection, Ahmed took admission at a private university in neighbouring Ghaziabad, requiring him to physically commute outside Delhi's borders to complete his course modules.

Plea for Bail Exemption: Emphasizing that Ahmed was actively moving toward academic reform and personal rehabilitation, the petition requested temporary exemptions from two specific bail clauses. The top court declined the request, clarifying that any routine compliance adjustments should properly be raised before the trial court handling the main proceedings.

UAPA Conspiracy Charges and the 2020 Northeast Delhi Communal Clashes

Shadab Ahmed remains among the primary accused facing prosecution under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code:

Roots of the Clashes: In February 2020, widespread communal violence erupted across several localities of Northeast Delhi amid heightened demonstrations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Casualties and Investigation: The clashes claimed 53 lives and left more than 700 individuals injured, prompting the Delhi Police Special Cell to register a larger conspiracy case naming 18 individuals.

Bail History and Rigorous Provisos: While the Supreme Court earlier rejected the bail petitions of co-accused Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam on January 5, four other accused persons, including Shadab Ahmed, were granted bail subject to 11 strict compliance conditions designed to prevent tampering with witnesses and ensure continuous availability before the court.

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