Delhi HC seeks police reply on Sharjeel Imam bail plea

The Delhi High Court on Friday, July 17, 2026, sought the response of the Delhi Police to a bail appeal filed by student activist Sharjeel Imam, who is jailed in a case concerning the alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots. A division bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Vikas Mahajan issued notice on Imam's appeal and granted the police two weeks to file a reply, scheduling the next hearing for August 27.

Imam is challenging a trial court's July 4 decision to dismiss his second regular bail application. The trial court had stated it was bound by a Supreme Court order from January 5, 2026, which refused bail to Imam and co-accused Umar Khalid, and deemed the fresh applications not maintainable. During Friday's hearing, the High Court questioned whether there was any factual development or change in circumstances to warrant bail. Imam's counsel, Advocate Talib Mustafa, argued that the trial had stagnated, with proceedings yet to advance beyond the stage of arguments on framing charges, a process that has continued for over 200 days.

The prosecution, represented by Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, indicated it would file a reply. The court...