The Delhi High Court, on Tuesday, directed a trial court to decide on the bail plea for student activist Sharjeel Imam, who has sought statutory bail in a sedition case, by February 22, news agency ANI reported. Imam, who was arrested in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for alleged involvement in the conspiracy behind the 2020 riots in the nation capital, seeks bail on the ground that he has already served half the maximum punishment prescribed for the offence.
Imam was jailed over alleged inflammatory speeches he made at Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia area in Delhi against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The charges against Imam include sedition (Section 124A), promoting enmity between different religious groups (Section 153A), making assertions prejudicial to national integration (Section 153B), making statements conducive to public mischief (Section 505) under the Indian Penal Code, as well as punishment for unlawful activities (Section 13) under the UAPA.
Imam has been in custody since January 28, 2020, in the case that also involves others like former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid, activists Khalid Saifi, Isharat Jahan and Safoora Zargar.
According to a report by Live Law, a division bench comprising Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Manoj Jain, stated that Imam’s application for statutory bail is already under consideration before the trial court and is awaiting judgement.
“We direct the trial court to decide and pronounce judgement in the said application within 10 days from the next date of hearing,” the bench was quoted by Live Law.
Imam was booked under the anti-terror law UAPA and several provisions of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly being the 'masterminds' of the February 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured, as per PTI.
The Delhi HC also added that if Imam’s bail is denied he has the right to a fresh appeal on the ground mentioned in his current appeal along with any other ground.
Last year, in August, Imam had submitted an application, however, the case was reserved by ASJ Amitabh Rawat at Karkardooma Courts in September 2023. Imam’s application stated that he is willing to provide reliable surety and adhere to any conditions upon his release. However, the judge was transferred, and another judge is presiding over the case now.