Sharjeel Imam granted bail by HC in sedition case

Sharjeel Imam granted bail in sedition case by HC.

Sharjeel Imam granted bail in sedition case by HC.

Sharjeel Imam, a former JNU student, has been granted bail by the Delhi High Court in a sedition case. However, he will remain in custody due to other pending charges related to the 2020 Delhi riots.

Sharjeel Imam, a former JNU student, has been granted bail by the Delhi High Court in a sedition case. However, he remains an accused in several other cases related to the communal riots that occurred in Delhi in 2020. These include charges of instigating violence and promoting enmity between different communities. Imam’s alleged involvement in the riots stemmed from his speeches, which authorities claim incited violence. Despite the bail in the sedition case, Imam will remain in custody due to these other pending cases. His legal battles highlight the broader issues of sedition laws and their application in India.

New Delhi: On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court granted bail to student activist Sharjeel Imam in a case related to the 2020 communal riots, which involved allegations of sedition and unlawful activities. The bail decision came after Imam appealed against a trial court’s order that had previously denied him bail.

Imam, a former student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), argued that he had already served more than half of the maximum sentence that could be imposed if he were to be convicted. His legal team contended that this fact alone merited his release on bail, pending the final outcome of his trial.

The bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain, after reviewing the arguments presented by both Imam’s counsel and the Delhi Police, decided in favor of granting him bail. “Appeal is allowed,” the bench declared, providing relief to Imam who has been in custody for a significant period.

The case against Imam stems from his alleged involvement in the 2020 Delhi riots, during which he was accused of delivering inflammatory speeches that purportedly incited violence. The riots had resulted in widespread communal clashes, causing deaths and injuries, and leading to numerous arrests and charges against various individuals, including Imam.

Despite the bail in the sedition case, Imam remains an accused in other related cases concerning the riots. His release is conditional, and he is expected to comply with the court’s stipulations, which likely include regular reporting to the authorities and avoiding any activities that could be construed as inciting further unrest.

This ruling has been seen as a significant development in Imam’s legal journey, offering him a temporary reprieve while his other cases continue to progress through the judicial system. The decision also reflects ongoing debates and scrutiny over the application of sedition laws in India, particularly in cases involving political dissent and civil unrest.

According to the prosecution, Imam allegedly made inflammatory speeches at Jamia Millia Islamia on December 13, 2019, and at Aligarh Muslim University on December 16, 2019. During these speeches, he reportedly threatened to cut off Assam and the rest of the North East from the country, which the authorities argue incited violence and unrest during the Delhi riots of 2020.

The case against Imam was registered by the Delhi Police’s Special Branch. Initially, the case included charges of sedition. Later, Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was invoked, adding more severe charges related to unlawful activities. Imam has been in custody since January 28, 2020, facing these serious allegations.

In his appeal to the trial court, Imam contended that he had been in custody for nearly four years. He highlighted that the maximum sentence for the offense under Section 13 of the UAPA, which pertains to punishment for unlawful activities, is seven years if convicted. Imam argued that having already served more than half of this potential maximum sentence should be grounds for granting him bail.

The Delhi High Court, comprising Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain, heard Imam’s appeal and reviewed the arguments presented by both his counsel and the Delhi Police. After considering the circumstances, the court decided to grant him bail. “Appeal is allowed,” the bench stated, providing Imam a significant, albeit temporary, reprieve from his prolonged detention.

However, Imam’s legal challenges are not entirely resolved, as he remains an accused in several other related cases stemming from the 2020 riots. His release on bail is conditional, with requirements likely including regular reporting to authorities and adherence to strict conduct guidelines to prevent any further incitement of unrest.

This ruling underscores the ongoing legal and societal debates surrounding the use of sedition laws in India, especially in cases involving political dissent and alleged incitement. It also brings attention to the broader issues of justice and the rights of individuals detained under controversial legal provisions.

New Delhi: On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court granted bail to student activist Sharjeel Imam in a case related to the 2020 communal riots, which involved allegations of sedition and unlawful activities. This decision follows Imam’s argument that he has been in custody for more than half of the maximum sentence prescribed for the offenses he is charged with, in accordance with Section 436-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

Imam’s bail application had previously been denied by the trial court on February 17. The court had ruled that his custody could be extended in “exceptional circumstances” after considering the prosecution’s case.

Sharjeel Imam faces multiple charges arising from the 2020 communal riots in Delhi, including allegations of a larger conspiracy behind the violence. He remains in judicial custody for these related conspiracy cases.

The bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain reviewed Imam’s appeal against the trial court’s decision, taking into account the significant time he has already spent in custody. The court granted bail, noting that he had served more than half of the potential maximum sentence if convicted under Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Despite this bail, Imam’s legal battles continue as he remains an accused in several other related cases. His release is subject to conditions, including regular reporting to authorities to ensure compliance and to prevent any further incitement of unrest.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *