Sharjeel Imam granted interim bail in Delhi riots conspiracy case

A Delhi court on Monday granted a 10-day interim bail to activist Sharjeel Imam, who is accused of being part of a larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots, Live Law reported.

Imam was granted bail from March 20 to March 30 to attend his brother’s wedding, which is scheduled for March 25, ANI reported.

Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of Karkardooma Courts imposed a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of a similar amount, the news agency reported.

Imam’s counsel had told the court that his client had been in prison for five years without being released on bail even temporarily.

The court directed that during the interim bail period, Imam cannot contact witnesses or persons related to the case. He will only be allowed to meet his family and remain at his home or at the places where the marriage ceremonies will take place, the court said.

Imam was also directed not to speak with the media or use social media, ANI reported.

He was arrested in January 2020 in connection with speeches made in Delhi, Aligarh, Asansol and Chakband during protests against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act and the proposed National Register of Citizens.

Communal violence had broken out in North East Delhi in February 2020 between supporters of the Act and those opposing it. The violence...

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