Sharjeel Imam granted bail in sedition case

The Allahabad High Court on Saturday granted bail to JNU research scholar and student activist Sharjeel Imam, reports LiveLaw. Imam was detained in a sedition case for his 'anti-national speech' in January 2019 at Aligarh Muslim University during the Anti CAA-NRC protests. He was charged under Section 124 A (sedition), 153 A (provocation with intent to cause riots), 153 B (whoever by words either spoken or written or by signs makes or publishes any imputation, assertions prejudicial to national-integration or may cause disharmony) and 505 (2) of IPC.

Talib Mustafa, Imam's lawyer, argued that multiple FIRs were filed against Imam for the same speech (Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh police had also filed cases against Imam for his purported comments) and that Section 124 A can only be invoked if there is incitement or call to violence. Instead, Imam had repeatedly called for peace, Mustafa said.

Despite the bail, Imam shall continue in Tihar jail, where he is currently lodged, as he is also accused in cases pertaining to the Northeast Delhi riots and the violence in Jamia.

"Bail has been granted to my brother Sharjeel @_imaams in the FIR No. 55/2020, registered by Civil Lines, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh Police One more step towards his release which shows that eventually truth prevails over lies, propaganda & witchhunt. #SharjeelImam," Sharjeel's brother Muzzammil wrote in a tweet.