The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the response of the Delhi Police on a fresh bail plea filed by Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, Bar & Bench reported.
A Division Bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Vikas Mahajan issued notice to the police and asked it to file its reply within two weeks. The matter has been listed for hearing on August 27.
During the hearing, the Bench asked whether there had been any change in circumstances to justify granting bail. Imam’s counsel submitted that the trial had made little progress, saying it remained at the same stage as seven months ago and that arguments on framing of charges had continued for over 200 days.
The court noted Imam’s submission that charges are yet to be framed despite the passage of substantial time. It also recorded that the Supreme Court had earlier granted him liberty to seek bail again if the trial was delayed.
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the prosecution, said a reply would be filed and informed the court that the trial had not yet commenced.
Imam, arrested in January 2020, is among those accused of conspiring to orchestrate the communal violence that broke out in northeast Delhi during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. His bail plea was rejected by a Delhi sessions court on July 4, following which he approached the High Court, according to Bar & Bench.
