The Delhi High Court on Friday (October 16, 2026) allowed 2020 anti-Hindu Delhi riots larger conspiracy case accused Natasha Narwal to travel to the UK for an academic conference and research work. Justice Amit Bansal permitted Narwal to travel abroad after executing a personal bond of ₹1 lakh with surety of her brother, who is a resident of Haryana.
The UAPA accused and the co-founder of the far-left group Pinjra Tod is also required to submit an undertaking before the trial court that she will come back to India and will not apply for asylum in the UK. She will be visiting the UK between November 02 and December 01, 2026. Narwal will have to surrender her passport back to the trial court within 48 hours of her return to India.
The High Court directed Narwal not to make any statements about the merits of the case going on against her during her visit to the UK. The trial court will release her passport, and any Look Court Circular (LOC) issued against her will remain suspended during the period of her visit.
“We cannot restrict the right to travel under Article 21. Your hands are not tied. You are the Government of India. The trial will take 20 years. You cannot keep the person here. It is a renowned university, and she wants to travel for academic pursuits,” the High Court said.
Narwal is reportedly enrolled in a PhD program at a foreign university in 2023. Her supervisor recently issued a letter requiring her to appear in person for a supervisory meeting to present her work at the 23rd Annual Historical Materialism Conference, scheduled to be held at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. Narwal will be presenting her paper titled “Gendered Carceral Labour as Social Reproduction” at the conference, which will be held from November 5 to 8, 2026. She will also take part in the doctoral training on campus.
Notably, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) is funded by George Soros, the American philanthropist and regime change specialist, notorious for funding anti-India entities and individuals in and outside India.
Delhi Police opposed Narwal’s plea
The High Court said that the visit was necessary for academic purposes and for the completion of her thesis, which she has to submit to get a PhD. The travel plea was opposed by the Delhi Police, saying that the UK has a strict extradition policy and that if the UAPA accused does not come back to India, it will be difficult to extradite her.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the police, said that her physical presence was not required for her PhD as she had been pursuing it virtually for the last three years. Citing an email by the university, ASG added that even a co-author could present the paper on her behalf. Advocate Adit Pujari, representing Narwal, said that she does not have a co-author and needs to present the paper herself.
Earlier this month, the trial court had denied her permission to travel to the UK. Refusing her permission to travel abroad, Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of the Karkardooma Courts observed that the right to travel abroad is not absolute. The judge further noted that the pendency of the UAPA proceedings against Natasha Narwal was a relevant consideration. Narwal had challenged the trial court order before the High Court.
Who is Natasha Narwal?
Natasha Narwal is an ultra-left activist, accused of being involved in a larger conspiracy that led to the violence during the anti-Hindu Delhi riots in February 2020. The widespread violence that engulfed Northeast Delhi left 53 people dead and over 400 injured.
Narwal was arrested by the Delhi Police on May 22, 2020, along with co-accused Devangna Kalita. Narwal is accused of orchestrating protests at Seelampur and being a part of a meeting held on February 16 and 17, 2020, during which the Anti-CAA conspiracy was hatched.
In 2021, Additional Judge Amitabh Rawat reviewed the WhatsApp group DPSG’s chat under scrutiny in the case. The judge noted that the chats included a specific reference to Narwal and the distribution of red chilli powder to women so that they could attack police and paramilitary on February 23, 2020.
Natasha Narwal has also written for far-left propaganda portals like The Wire and The Newslaundry. Her writings at the leftist propaganda portals selectively condemn Hindu traditions and misrepresent women’s place in Hindu society.
