New Delhi: Former JNU student Sharjeel Imam was on Friday granted bail by Delhi Court in a sedition case.
The case was registered against him in 2019 accusing him of delivering a “provocative speech” that allegedly led to violence in the Jamia Nagar area of New Delhi.
However, Imam will continue to remain in custody as he is yet to get bail in other cases pending against him, LiveLaw reported.
Additional Sessions Judge Anuj Agrawal granted bail to Sharjeel in FIR 242/2019 registered at the NFC Police station.
The LiveLaw report quoting the court order noted that regarding the offence of sedition under section 124A of IPC, the prosecution in all pending cases has been directed to be kept in abeyance by the Supreme Court.
It also noted that the offense under section 153A of the Code is punishable with maximum imprisonment upto three years.
“The applicant/accused is in custody since last more than 31 months, having been arrested on 17.02.2020 in the instant case,” the court said, as per the report.
It added, “Therefore, in the facts and circumstances of the present case, considering the submissions made at Bar, in view of the directions of Hon’ble Apex Court in S.G. Vombatkare (Supra) and keeping in view the earlier order dated 22.10.2021 of this court, I am of the considered view that the case of applicant/accused is covered u/s 436A CrPC and therefore instant application deserves to be allowed.”
The development came days after the Delhi High Court asked the trial court to consider Sharjeel Imam’s application seeking relief under Section 436-A CrPC on the ground that he has remained in custody for 31 months in the FIR.
Imam was denied regular bail by a Saket Court in October 2021, saying that the tone and tenor of his ‘incendiary speech’ had a debilitating effect on public tranquility, peace and harmony of the society, the LiveLaw report said.
Imam had recently moved an application in the trial court under Section 436-A as his plea seeking bail was pending before High Court.
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