It’s a significant moment in the long-running 2020 Delhi Riots legal saga. After nearly six years in Tihar Jail, Sharjeel Imam’s 10-day window for his brother’s wedding and Eid marks one of the few times a key accused under the UAPA has been granted temporary relief on humanitarian grounds.
The timing is particularly notable given the “calendar split” for Eid celebrations happening across the country right now.
In a major development in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case, a Delhi court has granted interim bail to Sharjeel Imam on humanitarian grounds. The former JNU student, who has been in custody since January 2020, walked out of jail on Friday, March 20, 2026. The relief comes just in time for him to celebrate Eid with his family and attend his brother’s Nikah, scheduled for March 25.
Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of the Karkardooma Court allowed the 10-day release until March 30, despite the serious charges Imam faces under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). While the defense had requested six weeks, the court opted for a shorter duration, imposing strict conditions to ensure compliance. Imam is accused by the Delhi Police of delivering inflammatory speeches during the CAA-NRC protests that allegedly incited the 2020 violence—charges he has consistently denied. His release follows years of rejected regular bail pleas, including a high-profile rejection by the Supreme Court earlier this year.
Key Legal & Personal Context
- The Timeline: Imam must surrender by March 30, 2026.
- The Charges: He remains a primary accused in the “larger conspiracy” case (FIR 59/2020) involving allegations of inciting communal violence.
- The Precedent: Interim bail for UAPA accused is rare and usually restricted to specific family milestones or medical emergencies, highlighting the court’s “humanitarian” balancing act.