Former JNU scholar and activist Sharjeel Imam, who is accused in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots case, was released on a 10-day interim bail on Friday after nearly six years in jail, according to PTI.
A Delhi court granted it from March 20 to March 30 so that he could attend his brother’s wedding and take care of his ailing mother.
Additional sessions Justice Sameer Bajpai of Karkardooma Court granted it on March 9 on personal bond ₹50,000 and two sureties of the same amount, subject to certain conditions, ANI reported.
Applying for a six-week interim bail, Imam told the court that his younger brother Muzzammil Imam was to be married on March 25 and that he needed time to help with preparations and attend the wedding ceremonies.
His lawyer also told the court that the imam has been in jail for more than five years without being granted bail, even for an interim period.
The defense also told the court that Imam is the only elder brother of the groom and that there are several wedding events planned between March 22 and March 28, including Mehendi, Haldi, Nikah and reception. She further stated that Imam’s mother is not feeling well and that his younger brother, who is currently taking care of her, will be busy preparing for the wedding. Based on this, the applicant sought time to support his family and be with his mother, especially as the time of the wedding was likely to overlap with the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.
The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the presence of an imam for the wedding ceremonies was not necessary and that the family had already made the required arrangements. He also pointed out that his proper bail application had earlier been rejected by the trial court, the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court and said that the charges against him were serious. The prosecution further expressed concern that granting anticipatory bail could create a risk of tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses.
After reviewing the arguments and documents, including verification of the wedding functions, the court deemed it appropriate to grant a limited preliminary injunction. However, instead of the six weeks the imam sought, he granted bail for only 10 days.
The court said that during the interim bail, the imam is not allowed to contact any witness or anyone connected to the case. He was asked to give his mobile number to the investigating officer, keep his phone switched on, not talk to the media and stay off social media. The court also ordered him to meet only family members and stay either at home or at wedding ceremony venues.
He further ordered that once the interim bail period ends, the imam must surrender before the prison warden on the evening of March 30, after which a compliance report is to be filed in court.
The case of the Delhi Riots
Riots that broke out in Northeast Delhi in February 2020 killed more than 50 people and left over 700 injured. According to the Delhi Police, the violence was part of a “pre-planned and well-designed” conspiracy that unfolded against the backdrop of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
