Delhi Court Grants Sharjeel Imam 10-Day Interim Bail to Attend Family Wedding

A Delhi court has granted 10-day interim bail to JNU activist Sharjeel Imam , one of the accused in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case , allowing him to attend his brother’s wedding and spend time with family during the Eid festival . The relief was granted by Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of the Karkardooma Courts , who considered the humanitarian grounds cited in the plea but declined Imam’s request for a longer bail period.

Imam had approached the court seeking six weeks of interim bail , from March 15 to April 26 , stating that he wished to participate in his brother’s wedding scheduled on March 25 and remain with family during the upcoming festival. However, after examining the request and the prosecution’s submissions, the court allowed only 10 days of temporary release , observing that the limited period would be sufficient for the purpose stated in the application.

The court also imposed strict conditions during the bail period to ensure that the relief does not interfere with the ongoing legal proceedings. Imam has been barred from using social media and instructed not to meet anyone other than family members, relatives or close friends. He has also been directed not to contact witnesses or individuals linked to the case in any manner. In addition, he must provide his mobile phone number to the investigating officer and furnish a personal bond of ₹50,000 along with two sureties of the same amount . As per the order, Imam will have to surrender before prison authorities by the evening of March 30 once the bail period ends.

Sharjeel Imam has been in custody for several years in connection with the larger conspiracy case related to the February 2020 communal violence in northeast Delhi , one of the deadliest outbreaks of unrest in the national capital in decades. The violence erupted amid widespread protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) , leaving 53 people dead and over 700 injured .

According to the Delhi Police , Imam played a key role in mobilising protests and coordinating demonstrations. Investigators allege that he helped organise road blockades, or “chakka jams,” and used online platforms to mobilise participants. Police claim he administered a messaging group called “Muslim Students of JNU” , which allegedly served as a coordination channel for identifying protest sites and organising participants.

Authorities have also alleged that Imam attended strategy meetings in Delhi’s Jangpura area and travelled to other cities, including Aligarh , to mobilise support for the protests. Investigators further claim he played an influential role in the formation and continuation of the Shaheen Bagh protest , a high-profile anti-CAA sit-in that became a focal point of nationwide demonstrations.

The court clarified that the interim bail is purely temporary and humanitarian in nature and will not impact the ongoing trial in the larger conspiracy case , which continues before the Delhi court.