The Supreme Court on Friday has directed the Delhi High Court to expedite the hearing of student activist Sharjeel Imam’s bail plea related to the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in connection with the February 2020 Delhi riots.
A bench of Justices Bela M. Trivedi and S.C. Sharma clarified that they were not inclined to entertain the plea for bail under Article 32 of the Constitution at this stage.
Imam’s counsel, senior advocate Siddharth Dave, highlighted that the bail application has been pending since 2022 but confirmed he was not pressing for immediate bail.
The Supreme Court noted that the Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear the case on November 25. The bench stated, “This being a writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, we are not inclined to entertain the same.
However, the petitioner shall be at liberty to request the high court to hear the bail application as expeditiously as possible, preferably on November 25, as fixed by the high court. The high court shall consider the said request.”
Imam, along with several others, has been charged under stringent UAPA provisions and the Indian Penal Code. They are accused of being the “masterminds” behind a broader conspiracy related to the February 2020 riots, which resulted in the deaths of 53 individuals and left over 700 injured.
The unrest erupted during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on the implications of the case for civil liberties and the rights of activists. Imam’s bail plea, given its historical context and the serious charges against him, continues to attract attention and scrutiny.
The upcoming hearing on November 25 is expected to be pivotal in determining the course of Imam’s case and his future.
