Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 22: A Delhi court has granted interim bail to jailed student activist Sharjeel Imam to enable him to attend his cousin’s wedding, allowing him temporary release from October 4 to 10.
The Karkardooma Court granted the relief to Imam, who is facing trial in connection with the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. He has been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other penal provisions.
The interim bail has been granted specifically to allow Imam to participate in the wedding ceremonies of his cousin during the specified period.
Earlier, the Delhi High Court had issued notice to the Delhi Police on Imam’s plea challenging the trial court’s rejection of his regular bail application.
A division bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan sought the police’s response and listed the matter for further hearing.
The trial court had earlier rejected the regular bail pleas of Imam and co-accused Umar Khalid, relying on a January 5 order of the Supreme Court that declined to grant them bail and laid down the circumstances under which they could renew their pleas.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court refused bail to Imam and Khalid, observing that the prosecution material disclosed prima facie grounds attracting the statutory bar under Section 43D(5) of the UAPA. The apex court, however, granted bail to five other co-accused.
In a subsequent development, the Supreme Court granted six months’ interim bail to co-accused Tasleem Ahmed and Khalid Saifi while referring to a larger Bench the question of whether prolonged incarceration and delay in trial could justify the grant of bail despite the restrictions imposed under Section 43D(5) of the UAPA.
The Delhi Police has opposed the bail pleas of Imam and Khalid before the High Court, describing them as “masterminds” of the alleged conspiracy. The police has also contended that their fresh bail pleas were not maintainable in view of the Supreme Court’s January 5 order.
The case pertains to the alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 North-East Delhi riots. Imam is among several accused facing prosecution under the UAPA and other penal provisions in the case.