📷 Image Credits: The Hindu
The Delhi High Court has made a significant decision by granting bail to student activist Sharjeel Imam in connection with a 2020 communal riots case after serving half of his sentence. The court’s decision comes after he assailed a trial court order that initially refused to grant him bail, despite having already served more than half of the maximum sentence that could be awarded in case of a conviction.
Sharjeel Imam, known for his speeches at Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University in December 2019, where he allegedly threatened to cut off Assam and the rest of the North East from the country, has been in custody since January 28, 2020. The case against him was registered by Delhi Police’s Special Branch, initially for sedition, and later invoking Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Imam’s plea for bail was based on the grounds that he has already spent a significant amount of time in custody and that the maximum sentence for the offense under Section 13 of the UAPA is 7 years. The court, citing Section 436-A of the CrPC, which allows for release from custody if more than half of the maximum sentence has been served, granted him bail despite the trial court’s initial decision.
The court’s ruling is pivotal in the ongoing legal battles surrounding the communal riots of 2020, with Imam being implicated in several cases, including those related to a larger conspiracy. While he has been granted bail in the specific case mentioned, he remains in judicial custody in connection to the conspiracy case.
This decision by the Delhi High Court has generated significant interest and debate, shedding light on the legal intricacies of cases involving sedition and unlawful activities. As the proceedings continue, the outcome of Imam’s appeal and the implications for future cases of a similar nature remain topics of keen observation within legal and social circles.
