On March 9, 2026, a Delhi court granted 10 days of interim bail to former JNU scholar Sharjeel Imam, who has been in custody for over six years. Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of the Karkardooma Court allowed the temporary release from March 20 to March 30, 2026, to enable Imam to attend his younger brother Muzzammil’s wedding and care for his ailing mother.
Imam is a primary accused in the “larger conspiracy” case (FIR 59/2020) involving the February 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, which resulted in 53 deaths and over 700 injuries. While the defense argued for six weeks of bail on humanitarian grounds, the prosecution opposed the plea, citing the gravity of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) charges and potential risks to the trial.
Conditions Of Release And Legal Arguments
The court’s decision to grant a 10-day reprieve, rather than the six weeks requested, came with a set of stringent conditions to ensure the integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings. Judge Bajpai directed Imam to furnish a personal bond of ₹50,000 along with two sureties of a like amount.
Crucially, the activist is strictly prohibited from interacting with the media or using social media during his time out of jail. He has also been warned against contacting any witnesses or persons connected to the case, and is expected to follow all restrictions set by the court to maintain the integrity of the trial.
During the hearing, Imam’s counsel, Advocate Talib Mustafa, emphasized that his client had not been granted even temporary bail for several years despite his long incarceration. The defense highlighted that as the eldest sibling, Imam’s presence was vital for ceremonies like the Nikah and reception, especially since his younger brother the groom is the primary caregiver for their unwell mother and would be occupied with wedding arrangements.
A Long Road Through The Legal System
This interim relief occurs against a backdrop of years of legal stagnation and a trial that is still in the “arguments on charge” stage. Sharjeel Imam, an IIT-Bombay graduate and JNU researcher, was arrested in early 2020 following speeches he delivered during the nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). While he has secured bail or acquittals in several other FIRs, the “larger conspiracy” case remains his primary legal hurdle.
Just two months ago, on January 5, 2026, the Supreme Court of India denied regular bail to both Imam and fellow activist Umar Khalid. In that ruling, the apex court observed that the prosecution had established a “prima facie” case against them, distinguishing their roles from five other co-accused who were granted bail on the same day.
The court also noted that while delay in trial is a factor, it cannot serve as a “trump card” to bypass the statutory restrictions of the UAPA, though it allowed the duo to renew their bail pleas after one year or after the examination of protected witnesses. This emphasizes that pre-trial detention and UAPA constraints continue to shape the course of the ongoing legal proceedings.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that the hallmark of a robust democracy is the delicate balance between national security and the fundamental right to personal liberty. While the gravity of the 2020 riots a dark chapter that tore through the social fabric of our capital cannot be understated, the prolonged incarceration of individuals without the conclusion of a trial challenges the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”
Granting interim bail for a family milestone is a welcome gesture of judicial empathy, reminding us that even within the complexities of law, humanity must find a place. We advocate for a swift and fair trial for all accused to ensure justice for the victims while upholding the constitutional values of harmony and due process.
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