New Delhi, July 17: The Delhi High Court has requested a response from the Delhi Police regarding the bail plea of Sharjeel Imam, who is accused of conspiring in the 2020 Delhi riots. During the hearing of the criminal appeal filed by Imam, the court granted the police two weeks to submit their response. Following this, the petitioner will also have two weeks to reply to the police’s submission.
Sharjeel Imam’s lawyer, Ahmed Ibrahim, stated that the court has issued a notice on the bail application and has asked the state government to present its stance. The next hearing in this case is scheduled for August 27.
Imam’s lawyer highlighted that their arguments for bail are primarily based on two grounds. The first is related to a Supreme Court ruling that discusses the principles of bail and provisions for relief in cases of prolonged detention. The lawyer contends that these principles should also apply in Imam’s case.
He referenced a Supreme Court decision that provided guidelines regarding delays in hearings for long-term incarcerated defendants. According to the lawyer, similar principles were applied when co-accused Tasleem Ahmad was granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court, and the same should be considered for Sharjeel Imam.
The second argument presented by the lawyer pertains to the slow pace of the trial. He noted that proceedings in the trial court have not progressed for an extended period. The Supreme Court had directed in January that the trial should either be completed within a year or the testimonies of protected witnesses should be recorded, but there has been no significant advancement in the case thus far.
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