Sharjeel Imam, an accused in custody in connection with the 2020 North East Delhi violence cases, has secured temporary relief from a local court in the capital. While hearing his plea on Tuesday, Delhi's Karkardooma Court granted him interim bail for a period of seven days. The order permits him to remain out of jail from October 4 to October 10 to participate in family wedding festivities.
Temporary Release Granted for Wedding Celebrations
According to the petition submitted before the bench, the interim relief was sought to enable Sharjeel Imam to attend the nuptials of his two cousins. The ceremonies are scheduled across venues in Delhi and Bihar, with a wedding reception slated to take place on October 9 in Jehanabad, Bihar. His counsel informed the court that the events were spread across multiple locations, requesting permission for his presence during these dates, which the court subsequently allowed.
Custody Resumes Upon Expiry of Bail Period
As per the judicial directives, Sharjeel Imam can remain outside prison strictly between October 4 and October 10. The court made it clear that this directive does not amount to regular bail and serves only as a temporary measure for a specific family occasion. Once the granted timeline lapses, he will have to surrender back to judicial custody. Previously, in March 2026, he had been granted a 10-day interim bail window to attend his brother's wedding.
Charges Under UAPA and the Larger Conspiracy Case
Sharjeel Imam faces charges in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the North East Delhi riots that broke out in 2020. The prosecution has booked him under several sections of the penal law alongside stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, commonly known as UAPA. He has remained behind bars under continuous judicial remand in this matter.
Regular Bail Hearing in Delhi High Court on September 30
While this interim reprieve allows him to attend private family gatherings, the substantive legal plea seeking regular bail remains pending before the Delhi High Court. The High Court is scheduled to hear the regular bail applications of Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid on September 30, 2026. The Delhi Police has consistently opposed granting regular bail to either accused. Earlier in July, the Karkardooma Court had dismissed their regular bail pleas in light of directives issued by the Supreme Court in January 2026.
