A Delhi court Tuesday granted seven-day interim bail to student activist Sharjeel Imam, an accused in the alleged larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, to attend the weddings of his two first cousins in Delhi and Bihar.
Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of Karkardooma Courts allowed Imam to remain out on interim bail from October 4 to October 10. The court noted that the investigating officer had verified the wedding details and that this was only Imam’s second application seeking interim bail for a family wedding.
Weddings in Delhi, Bihar
Imam had sought temporary release to attend the weddings of his cousins Danish Imam and Fahad Imam, scheduled for October 4 and October 7. The functions are to be held in Delhi and Bihar, with a reception scheduled in his hometown of Jehanabad on October 9.
The court granted the relief on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 along with one surety of the same amount. Imam had previously been granted 10 days’ interim bail, from March 20 to March 30 this year, to attend his brother’s wedding.
His counsel had argued that the latest request was limited to attending the family functions and that the relevant details had been provided for verification. The investigating officer subsequently confirmed the weddings.
In custody since 2020
Imam was arrested by Delhi Police in January 2020 and is among those facing prosecution under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other provisions in connection with the alleged larger conspiracy behind the communal violence in Northeast Delhi in February 2020.
Delhi Police has alleged that Imam was among the key figures involved in the conspiracy that preceded the riots. The allegations remain subject to trial and have not resulted in a conviction.
The February 2020 violence in Northeast Delhi left 53 people dead and hundreds injured. The prosecution has alleged that the violence was the result of a wider conspiracy linked to protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The accused have contested the prosecution’s case.
Regular bail plea pending
The interim relief came a day after the Delhi High Court deferred the hearing on the regular bail pleas of Imam and co-accused Umar Khalid until September 30.
The two had approached the High Court after a trial court rejected their regular bail applications in July. Delhi Police has opposed their pleas, describing them as key figures in the alleged conspiracy, while their lawyers have raised prolonged incarceration and delay in the trial among the grounds for release.
Tuesday’s order is limited to Imam’s temporary release for the family functions and does not decide his pending plea for regular bail in the riots conspiracy case.