Delhi HC issues notice to police on Sharjeel Imam's bail plea
text_fieldsThe Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the Delhi Police on the bail application of JNU student and activist Sharjeel Imam in connection with the violence in Jamia Nagar on December 15, 2019, reports The Indian Express.
Imam has been charged with IPC including 124A, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and Arms Act for his controversial speech during the anti-CAA protests. Imam also stands accused of instigating the violence outside Jamia Milia Islamia in December 2019 with his speech. The matter has been posted for February 11, 2022.
In October, the lower court rejected his bail plea saying that the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression cannot be at the cost of communal peace and harmony. Though a Delhi court rejected his bail plea last month, it noted that the evidence hinting that his speech instigated riots is scanty and sketchy. It further slammed the prosecution, saying its version can't be based on imaginative thinking.
However, the court denied his bail reasoning "the issue whether the said speech would fall within the ambit of section 124A IPC or not, requires a deeper analysis at an appropriate stage."