human rights defender

Khalid Saifi

© Hindutva Watch

Organization affiliation

  • United Against Hate

HRD's year of birth

1980

HRD's Gender

Man

Type of HRD

  • Academic
  • Social and community leader

HRD's thematic area of engagement

  • Civil and political rights
  • Minorities’ rights

HRD's geographical origin

Urban

Current Status

Released on bail

HRD's bio and work

Khalid Saifi is an Indian social activist, community organizer, and co-founder of the campaign group United Against Hate. He was central to the peaceful protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Khajuri Khas and Jagatpuri in Delhi.

Detained since

Apr 26, 2020

Date of release

May 22, 2026

Charge(s)

  • Anti-government propaganda
  • Creating disturbances
  • Damage to public property
  • Other
  • Subversion
  • Terrorism

Sentence

The FIR 59/2020 was registered by the Delhi Police Special Cell, charging under multiple statutes:

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA): Section 13: Punishment for unlawful activities. Section 16: Punishment for terrorist act. Section 17: Punishment for raising funds for terrorist acts. Section 18: Punishment for conspiracy. Indian Penal Code (IPC): Section 120B: Criminal conspiracy. Section 302: Murder. Section 307: Attempt to murder. Section 124A: Sedition (prosecution stayed by Supreme Court orders, but remains in the charge sheet). Section 153A: Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion. Section 147 & 148: Rioting and rioting armed with deadly weapon. Section 149: Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object. Section 353: Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty. Section 186, 212, 395, 427, 435, 436, 452, 454: Assorting IPC sections relating to rioting, damage, and trespass. Arms Act, 1959: Sections 25 & 27: Possession and use of unlicensed arms. Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, 1984: Sections 3 & 4: Mischief causing damage to public property.

Geolocation of detention

Country or area of detention

Region of detention

  • Asia: Southern Asia

Location of detention - City/Town

New Delhi

Location of detention - Facility

Tihar Jail, New Delhi

Recent case update / evolution

The Supreme Court of India granted a 6-month interim bail on 24 May 2026.

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