sharjeel-imam-gets-7-day-interim-bail-in-2020-delhi-riots-case

Delhi’s Karkardooma court has granted Sharjeel Imam seven days of interim bail to attend the weddings of his two cousins in New Delhi and Bihar. The relief will remain in effect from October 4 to October 10.

 

Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai allowed the application after noting that it concerned the marriage ceremonies of Imam’s real cousins. The court ordered him to furnish a bail bond of Rs. 50,000 along with one surety for the same amount.

 

Imam has been directed to surrender before the jail authorities on the evening of October 10. He has also been barred from contacting anyone connected with the case, including witnesses, using social media or meeting people other than his family members.

 

The application, filed through advocates Ahmad Ibrahim and Ayesha Zaidi, had sought two weeks of interim bail from September 30 to October 13. It was submitted that Danish Imam’s wedding would take place in Delhi on October 4, while Fahad Imam’s marriage was scheduled in Sasaram, Bihar, on October 7.

Delhi Police verified the marriage details in its response to the application. Special Public Prosecutor Anirudh Mishra opposed the plea, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the repeated rejection of Imam’s regular bail applications by the court.

 

The prosecution also argued that Imam’s presence or financial assistance was not necessary for the ceremonies. It further contended that granting bail on marriage grounds could lead to repeated requests, given that the accused has several cousins.

 

Imam is an accused in the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots and has been chargesheeted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. His regular bail application is pending before the Delhi High Court.

 

Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam face UAPA charges in the case concerning the alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots. The violence left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured.

 

The clashes occurred during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, and the proposed National Register of Citizens.