New Delhi, Jan. 5 -- Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant bail to student activists, Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in Delhi riots case. The top court however ordered the release of five other co-accused in the case citing the gravity of allegations againts Umar and Sharjeel, legal news webiste Bar and Bench reported.

The Apex court said it was necessary to examine each appeal independently, adding that the record discloses that appellants are not on equal footing when it comes to culpability.

"The hierarchy of participation requires the court to assess each application individually. Article 21 requires the state to justify prolonged pre trial custody," Bar and Bench quoted the court as saying.

Khalid, a former JNU scholar has been ...