New Delhi, May 22 -- The Supreme Court on Friday granted interim bail of six months to two Delhi riots accused while referring to a larger bench the question of law on whether prolonged incarceration and delay in trial can override the statutory restrictions on bail.

A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale refused to comment on the recent verdict given by a bench headed by Justice B V Nagarathna in which it criticised the January 5 verdict denying bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.

The Delhi Police has sought reference of the question of law to a larger bench on whether prolonged incarceration and delay in trial can override the statutory restrictions on bail under anti-terror laws such as the Unlawful Activities ...