sharjeel imam

The Supreme Court is hearing the bail petitions of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others in Delhi anti-Hindu riots, with state argument that it was a regime change operation

Sharjeel Imam has announced his candidacy for the Bahadurganj assembly seat in Kishanganj district. His brother, Muzammil Imam, is campaigning for him.

The court stressed that accusations against Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam were prima facie true, citing provocative speeches, WhatsApp groups and deliberate delays by co-accused, rejecting bail pleas that relied on prolonged incarceration and systemic delay arguments.

The “29 seconds” narrative spread rapidly on X, but the Delhi High Court had reserved its detailed 133-page judgment on 9th July 2025, pronouncing it nearly two months later after extensive hearings and deliberations.

Despite defence arguments on parity and prolonged incarceration, the Court held that Khalid, Imam and others played graver roles in the alleged conspiracy, stressing that bail decisions demand individual assessment and not automatic extension from co-accused.

While refusing bail, the court noted that Khalid and Imam allegedly created WhatsApp groups, spread pamphlets and delivered provocative speeches, finding prima facie material to suggest their central role in planning the Delhi riots conspiracy.

Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notice on two petitions seeking direction to postpone the release of "2020 Delhi," a film based on the 2020 North-East Delhi riots