Sharjeel Imam Gets Seven-Day Interim Bail to Attend Cousins’ Weddings

A Delhi court on Tuesday granted seven days’ interim bail to student activist Sharjeel Imam to attend the weddings of his two cousins in Delhi and Bihar, providing temporary relief to the accused in the long-running case concerning the alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.

Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai granted Imam interim bail from October 4 to 10 on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety. His cousins, Danish Imam and Fahad Imam, are scheduled to marry on October 4 in New Delhi and October 7 in Sasaram, Bihar. Pre-wedding ceremonies, including mehendi, marwa and haldi, will be held at the family residence in Kako, Jehanabad, from October 1 to 3. The investigating officer verified the wedding arrangements.

Delhi Police opposed the plea, citing the seriousness of the allegations and repeated rejection of Imam’s regular bail applications. The court, however, noted that this was only his second interim-bail plea and concerned the weddings of his real cousins. Imam has been barred from contacting witnesses or anyone connected with the case, using social media or interacting with media personnel. He must remain at designated family and wedding locations and surrender on October 10.

The case stems from the February 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, which erupted amid protests and counter-protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and proposed NRC. The violence killed more than 50 people and injured hundreds. Imam was first arrested on January 28, 2020, in a separate case concerning anti-CAA speeches and was later booked in the larger-conspiracy case under the UAPA and IPC provisions.

The main chargesheet was filed in September 2020, followed by supplementary chargesheets in November 2020, February 2021, March 2022 and June 2023. The prosecution relies on speeches, WhatsApp communications, videos, call records, photographs, pamphlets and protected-witness statements, alleging an organised conspiracy. The defence disputes the interpretation and link between Imam’s speeches and the violence.

In September 2025, the Delhi High Court rejected his regular bail. On January 5, 2026, the Supreme Court denied regular bail to Imam and Umar Khalid while granting bail to five other accused, stressing differences in their alleged roles. The court also addressed prolonged incarceration under the stringent UAPA bail framework.

Imam received 10 days’ interim bail in March 2026 for his brother’s wedding and to meet his mother. A fresh regular-bail plea was rejected by the trial court on July 4.

His regular-bail challenge is now scheduled before the Delhi High Court on September 30. Tuesday’s order does not alter his regular-bail status or determine guilt. The larger case remains pending, with the prosecution’s allegations yet to be finally adjudicated.