Sharjeel Imam acquitted in Jamia riot case, was accused of inciting violence in CAA protest

Delhi’s Saket Court has acquitted Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Sharjeel Imam and student activist Asif Iqbal Tanha, who were accused of inciting riots, for making inflammatory speeches during the CAA Protest in Delhi’s Jamia Milia Islamia University on December 13, 2019.

 A detailed order is awaited. Tanha is out on bail, however, Imam will still have to remain in jail due to several other charges against him.

In December 2019, violence had erupted after clashes at Jamia’s Shaheen Bagh between people protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the police. In which the police had also arrested Sharjeel Imam during their investigation. He was granted bail in 2021.

In the FIR registered against Sharjeel Imam, the Delhi Police had registered a case under sections of riots and several other sections related to it. In this case, a case was registered under appropriate sections including 143, 147, 148, 149, 186, 353, 332, 333, 308, 427, 435, 323, 341, 120B and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

Sharjeel Imam is in jail

Sharjeel Imam is in jail in a custody case registered in connection with the 2020 riots in North East Delhi. Imam and Tanha have been kept in the custody of the Special Cell. Police say that they had a big conspiracy behind the 2020 riots in North East Delhi.

In the past, bail was granted for both Asif Iqbal Tanha and Sharjeel Imam. However, due to the strict Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA, Sharjeel will continue to be imprisoned in the conspiracy case involving the riots in northeast Delhi in February 2020.

According to the prosecution, Imam reportedly threatened to split off Assam and other Northeastern regions from the rest of India during talks at Jamia Milia Islamia University on December 13, 2019, and Aligarh Muslim University on December 16, 2019.