Lawyer for Sharjeel Imam argues for bail: 'Arrest is prior, riot is later'
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In a court hearing on Thursday, Jamia Nehru University student and activist Sharjeel Imam's lawyer told the court there is no conspiracy charge against his client after his arrest in another riot case, days before the actual riots. He added, 'arrest is prior to the incident"
In a northeast Delhi riots UAPA case, Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat was hearing arguments for bail put forward by Imam's lawyer Tanveer Ahmed Mir.
He said, "We cannot afford to have a system where conspiracy theories become endless and remain in perpetuity."
"Imam's arrest was not the result of a conspiracy in the case, but a seditious speech that took place prior to his arrest," said Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad.
"To say that he was arrested as part of the conspiracy is kind of a misdirected argument."
Various charges were brought against Imam by the FIR, including Sections 13, 16, 17, 18 of the UAPA, Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, and Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.
Additionally, he faces charges under the Indian Penal Code, 1860. He has been denied bail on multiple occasions.
Anuj Aggarwal, sitting as additional Sessions Judge of Saket Court, had on October 22, dismissed the plea, saying that the tone and tenor of incendiary speech tend to impair public peace, harmony, and tranquility.
Anuj Aggarwal, sitting as additional Sessions Judge of Saket Court, had on October 22, dismissed the plea, saying that the tone and tenor of incendiary speech tend to impair public peace, harmony, and tranquility.
His judicial custody began in January 2020.
Delhi Police's Special Cell filed the main chargesheet in September 2020.
Pinjara Tod had been charged with numerous offences by the police.
Despite filing an FIR in February 2020 to investigate the "conspiracy" angle behind the Northeast Delhi riots, the chargesheet was filed almost 200 days later.
Over 200 people have been injured and at least 53 people have died during clashes between citizens' law supporters and protesters.