New Delhi, Jan. 5 -- Former Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar on Monday reacted to the Supreme Court's decision rejecting the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 north-east Delhi riots, stating that while the apex court may have had reasons to distinguish between cases, prolonged incarceration remains a serious concern and "long incarceration itself should matter" while considering bail.

Speaking to ANI, Ashwani Kumar said that judicial decisions are based on the material placed on record, but emphasised that civil libertarians would be deeply troubled by the continued detention of the two accused for an extended period.

"The Supreme Court decides the matters on the basis of the record before it. I'm sure the Supreme ...