Delhi HC sets deadline for trial court's verdict on Sharjeel's plea for statutory bail in sedition case

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed a trial court to decide and pronounce judgment by February 17 on an application filed by Sharjeel Imam, in a case involving alleged inflammatory speeches against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), seeking statutory bail.

Imam, who was booked under FIR 22 of 2020 by Delhi Police's Special Branch, was initially registered for the offence of sedition.

Later, Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was invoked.

He has been in custody since January 28, 2020, and his argument is centered around the claim that he has completed half of the maximum seven-year punishment prescribed under Section 13 of the UAPA.

The division bench, comprising Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Manoj Jain, disposed Imam's plea for regular bail, saying that the application for statutory bail is already under consideration before the trial court.

The court issued a clear directive, stating, "We direct the trial court to decide and pronounce judgment in the said application within 10 days from the next date of hearing."

Furthermore, the court affirmed Imam's right to file a fresh appeal if bail is denied, based on the grounds mentioned in his initial appeal or any additional grounds.

Delhi Police had earlier opposed Imam's claim that he has completed half of the maximum seven-year punishment prescribed under Section 13 of the UAPA, saying that there is not just one offence, but multiple.

According to his application, he has spent three years and six months in judicial custody and thus should be entitled to statutory bail under Section 436A of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The application states that Imam is willing to provide reliable surety and adhere to any conditions upon his release.

The charges against Imam include sedition (Section 124A), promoting enmity between different religious groups (Section 153A), making assertions prejudicial to national integration (Section 153B), making statements conducive to public mischief (Section 505) under the Indian Penal Code, as well as punishment for unlawful activities (Section 13) under the UAPA.