Sharjeel Imam Seeks Bail In Sedition Case, Denies Encouraging Violence During Anti-CAA Protests

Sharjeel Imam was arrested for his alleged speech at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) on December 13, 2019, and at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on December 16 where he allegedly threatened to "cut off" Assam and the rest of the Northeast from India.

JNU student Sharjeel Imam, arrested under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and sedition law, has moved a bail plea before a court here in a case related to making allegedly inflammatory speeches during the protests against CAA and NRC at two universities. Sharjeel was arrested for his alleged speech at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) on December 13, 2019, and at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on December 16 where he allegedly threatened to "cut off" Assam and the rest of the Northeast from India. He is in judicial custody since January 28, 2020. In the bail plea, which came up before Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat for hearing on Thursday, Sharjeel claimed that he never participated in or encouraged any violence during the course of any protest or demonstration and is a peace-loving citizen. During the hearing, advocate Tanveer Ahmed Mir, representing Sharjeel, read parts of his speeches to the court and said that they do not fall within the meaning of sedition law.