The Delhi High Court on Wednesday decided against granting an early hearing for Sharjeel Imam’s bail application in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) linked to the 2020 Delhi riots. The bench, led by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, maintained that the final hearing scheduled for October 7 would proceed without change.
Sharjeel Imam, along with Umar Khalid and others, is accused of masterminding the February 2020 riots, which resulted in the deaths of 53 people and injuries to over 700. The violence coincided with protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The request for an early hearing stemmed from Imam’s legal representation citing delays, as his bail appeal has been pending for 28 months and has been listed 62 times without resolution. The frequent reshuffling of bench compositions due to roster changes, recusals, and transfers of judges has contributed to these delays.
Justice Girish Kathpalia, who also presided over the bench, noted the court’s heavy daily caseload, further complicating the scheduling of hearings. Imam’s legal team emphasized the prolonged nature of the trial, highlighting that investigations are ongoing and charges have yet to be framed, despite the initial arrest occurring nearly four and a half years ago.
Imam, a research scholar, argued through his plea that the extended detention has severely disrupted his academic pursuits and ability to complete his doctorate. The Supreme Court’s guidelines for expeditious bail hearings within two to four weeks, and the stipulations of the NIA Act for resolving appeals within three months, were also cited to advocate for a quicker resolution.
