A Delhi court on Monday granted 10-day interim bail to former JNU scholar Sharjeel Imam, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case under UAPA, allowing him to attend his younger brother’s wedding and care for his ailing mother. The court imposed strict conditions including a social media ban.
A Delhi court on Monday (March 9, 2026) granted 10-day interim bail to former Jawaharlal Nehru University scholar Sharjeel Imam, who stands accused in the 2020 North-East Delhi riots larger conspiracy case, to enable him to attend his younger brother’s wedding and spend time with his ailing mother.
Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of the Karkardooma Courts allowed Imam to be released on interim bail from March 20 to March 30, upon furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000 along with two sureties of the like amount. The court, however, granted only 10 days instead of the six weeks originally sought by the defence.
Imam had moved the application stating that his younger brother, Muzzammil Imam, is scheduled to marry on March 25. His counsel submitted that Imam is the only elder sibling of the groom and that several marriage functions, including Mehendi, Haldi, Nikah and the reception, are scheduled between March 22 and March 28.
The defence further informed the court that Imam’s mother is unwell and that his younger brother, who currently serves as her primary caregiver, would be occupied with wedding arrangements during this period. The applicant therefore sought time to assist the family and spend time with his mother, particularly as the wedding period is expected to coincide with Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.
The prosecution opposed the plea, arguing that Imam’s presence was not essential for the marriage rituals and that arrangements for the wedding had already been made by family members.
It also submitted that Imam’s regular bail plea had previously been rejected by the trial court, the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, and that the allegations against him are serious. The prosecution further raised concerns that interim release could lead to tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses.
After considering the submissions and documents placed on record, including verification of the wedding ceremonies, the court deemed it appropriate to grant limited interim relief.
The court directed that during the interim bail period, Imam shall not contact any witness or person connected with the case, shall provide his mobile number to the investigating officer and keep it active, and shall not interact with the media or use social media. He has been directed to meet only family members and remain at his residence or the venues of the marriage ceremonies.
The court further directed that after the expiry of the interim bail period, Imam must surrender before the jail superintendent on the evening of March 30, and a compliance report shall be submitted to the court.
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Imam has remained incarcerated since January 28, 2020, in connection with the alleged larger conspiracy behind the Delhi riots.
He, along with others including activist Umar Khalid, faces charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, including sections 13, 16, 17, and 18, as well as the Indian Penal Code, including sections 124A (sedition), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with deadly weapon), 153A (promoting enmity between groups), 302 (murder), and 120B (criminal conspiracy).
The accused also face charges under sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, 1959, and sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.
The riots erupted in northeast Delhi in February 2020, leaving over 50 people dead and more than 700 injured. According to the Delhi Police, the violence was the result of a “pre-planned and well-designed” conspiracy in the background of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
This interim relief comes just months after the Supreme Court, on January 5, 2026, denied regular bail to both Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid. A Bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria held that the prosecution material, taken at face value, disclosed a prima facie case against them, and that they stood on a “qualitatively different footing” from the other accused owing to their alleged central and formative role in the conspiracy.
The apex court, however, granted bail to five other accused in the case, holding that their roles in the riots were relatively minor compared to Imam and Khalid.
The other accused in the larger conspiracy case include Tahir Hussain, Umar Khalid, Khalid Saifi, Isharat Jahan, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, Shifa-Ur-Rehman, Shadab Ahmed, Tasleem Ahmed, Saleem Malik, Mohd Saleem Khan, Athar Khan, Safoora Zargar, Faizan Khan, Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal. Asif Iqbal Tanha was granted bail in 2021, while Safoora Zargar was released on humanitarian grounds as she was pregnant at the time of her arrest. Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal have also been granted bail.
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