The Karkardooma Cour granted Sarjil Imam’s temporary relief the Delhi High Court prepares to hear his challenge to the trial court’s rejection of bail in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots larger conspiracy case
BY PC Bureau
NEW DELHI: The The Karkardooma Court has granted activist Sharjeel Imam interim bail from October 4 to 10, 2026, allowing him to attend his cousin brother’s wedding, his lawyer Ahmed Ibrahim said.
Imam’s brother Muzammil confirmed the development in a post on X, saying the court granted the relief to enable Imam to attend the family wedding during the six-day period.
The interim bail comes days before the High Court is scheduled to hear Imam’s regular bail plea on September 30 in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots larger conspiracy case.
The court on Monday adjourned the bail pleas of Imam and former JNU scholar Umar Khalid to September 30 after the prosecution sought more time. Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, who is representing the State, was unavailable because of illness.
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A Bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Dinesh Bhatt accepted the request and deferred the hearing.
Imam and Khalid have challenged a trial court order dated July 4, 2026, which rejected their regular bail applications. Delhi Police arrested Khalid in September 2020 and Imam on August 25, 2020. The two face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the larger conspiracy case linked to the February 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
The riots left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured.
Delhi Police’s Special Cell has also charged former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, activist Khalid Saifi and others in the alleged larger conspiracy case. The prosecution has invoked provisions of the UAPA along with offences under the Indian Penal Code.
The trial court rejected Imam’s and Khalid’s bail pleas after relying on a January 5, 2026 Supreme Court order. The Supreme Court had declined their bail requests and said they could renew them after the examination of protected witnesses or after one year from January 5, 2026, whichever came earlier.
Imam previously received 10 days of interim bail in March 2026 to attend his younger brother Muzzammil’s wedding and spend time with his ailing mother.
The latest interim relief allows Imam a temporary release while his regular bail plea remains pending before the Delhi High Court.
