Activist Sharjeel Imam's counsel argued in a Delhi court that Umar Khalid is not Imam's mentor and that the police's claims of coordination between them are false. The defense stated that Imam and Khalid never spoke during their time at Jawaharlal Nehru University and that no evidence proves an agreement or coordination for the 2020 riots. Arguments were made during the framing of charges in the larger conspiracy case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, following the Supreme Court's denial of bail to both Imam and Khalid.