Sharjeel Imam granted bail in sedition case, will stay in jail over Delhi riots

The court granted him bail taking into account the Supreme Court's order effectively keeping in abeyance the colonial era sedition law

A Delhi court Friday granted bail to former JNU student Sharjeel Imam in a sedition case in which he was accused of instigating the Jamia riots in 2019, taking into account the Supreme Court's order effectively keeping in abeyance the colonial era sedition law.

Granting bail to the student activist after nearly two-years-and-a-half of incarceration, the court also referred to its own observations of October 22, 2021 that there was no evidence on record to suggest the rioters acted after hearing Mr. Imam's speech. 

“In view thereof and without commenting upon the merit of the present case, applicant or accused Sharjeel Imam is admitted to bail on furnishing personal bond in the sum of ₹30,000 with one surety of like amount,” Additional Sessions Judge Anuj Agrawal said.

The judge said the bail was subject to the condition that Imam shall always remain available on a working mobile number and intimate any change of address to the Investigating Officer (IO) concerned. 

In an interim order passed in May this year, the Supreme Court asked the Centre and the State governments to refrain from registering any FIRs under Section 124(A) (sedition) while the Union government reconsidered the provision.

A Bench comprising then Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli said all pending trials, appeals and proceedings with charges framed under the provision will be kept in abeyance.

The Delhi court Friday noted it had dismissed Mr. Imam's plea earlier keeping in view the allegations against him under Sections 124 A (Sedition) and 153 A (Promoting enmity between classes) of the Indian Penal Code.