A Delhi court has rejected the bail plea of Sharjeel Imam in a case related to inflammatory speeches delivered by the accused during the protests in the capital city against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Delhi’s Saket Court has dismissed JNU student Sharjeel Imam’s bail plea, in a case related to alleged inflammatory and instigating speeches during the protests against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).
— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2021
Additional Sessions Judge Anuj Agarwal on October 22 observed, “A cursory and plain reading of the speech dated December 13, 2019, revealed that the same is on communal and divisive lines.”
Court: Therefore, in facts and circumstances of present case and considering the contents of speech dated 13.12.2019 which tend to have a debilitating effect on the communal peace and harmony, I am not inclined to grant bail to applicant/accused #SharjeelImam at this stage.
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) October 22, 2021
“In my view, the tone and tenor of the incendiary speech tend to have a debilitating effect upon public tranquility, peace and harmony of the society,” said the Bench.
Court: In my view, the tone and tenor of the incendiary speech tend to have a debilitating effect upon public tranquility, peace and harmony of the society.#SharjeelImam
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) October 22, 2021
Quoting Swami Vivekananda, the Court further said, “We are what our thoughts have made us, so take care about what you think. Words are secondary, thoughts live and travel far.”
“Fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression cannot be exercised at cost of communal peace and harmony of society,” the Court said while pronouncing the order.
A Delhi Court has denied bail to #SharjeelImam in a case alleging that he delivered seditious speeches which led to Riots at various places.
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) October 22, 2021
“fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression cannot be exercised at cost of communal peace and harmony of society,” Court says. pic.twitter.com/hymV2GEcAv
Sharjeel Imam was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and had sought bail from a local court in July.
‘Wanted to cut-off Assam’
Sharjeel Imam, who has been a columnist with Leftist propaganda website The Wire, The Quint and even FirstPost, was accused of giving incendiary speeches to provoke and instigate riots.
He was heard instigating people to organise a blockade and cut off North-Eastern states from the rest of India to force the government to concede to their demands. He was arrested by Delhi Police on 28th January, 2020 from Bihar.
