A Delhi court has charged Sharjeel Imam in the Jamia Millia Islamia violence case, labeling him a key conspirator for delivering inflammatory speeches during anti-CAA protests, inciting violence and unrest.
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has ordered framing of charges against Sharjeel Imam in the Jamia Millia Islamia violence case, nearly five years after his arrest. Imam was accused of sedition and delivering inflammatory speeches during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The Saket court in its order on Monday evening described Imam as the “kingpin of a larger conspiracy” and called his December 13 speech “venomous” and “calculated to evoke hatred”.
The court referred to two meetings on December 13, 2019, at 2 pm and 7 pm, where Imam allegedly addressed Jamia students and other protesters, resulting in traffic jams and rioting on public roads.
“… again on December 13, 2019, at around 7 pm, the accused addressed persons gathered outside Gate No 7 (of) Jamia University and gave an inflammatory speech for 10 minutes, in which he termed the CAA and NRC as ‘anti-Muslim’…”
Also Read: Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi : “UCC Is an Important Step Towards National Integration”
According to the court, Imam provoked the Muslim community and incited violence by holding public meetings and distributing inflammatory leaflets in areas like Munirka, Nizamuddin, Shaheen Bagh, and Jamia Nagar.
The court linked Imam’s speeches to widespread violence in Delhi, which included arson, vandalism of buses and police vehicles, and stone-pelting incidents.
At least 10 police officers were injured, the court noted, though it acknowledged the absence of evidence proving an intent to kill.
The order stated: “His speech was calculated to evoke anger and hatred, the natural consequence of which was widespread violence… It was hate speech.”
The court dismissed Imam’s argument that he could not be charged with promoting religious enmity, as similar charges were already filed in another case.
Sharjeel Imam surrendered to Delhi Police on January 28, 2020, after facing multiple cases, including a sedition case in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh and another for promoting enmity in Delhi.
He was later booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a stringent anti-terror law.
His arrest and charges sparked widespread condemnation from politicians, academics, and fellow students, who claimed he was targeted for being a Muslim rather than for any actual crime.
Much of the controversy centered around his January 2020 speech on NRC, where he called for protesters in Assam to blockade the Siliguri Corridor (‘Chicken’s Neck’), the narrow land strip connecting northeast India to the rest of the country.
The Manipur Police also filed a case against him over this remark.
In May 2024, Imam was granted bail by the Delhi High Court in another case related to his CAA speeches. However, he remained in Guwahati Central Jail in Assam due to his ongoing detention in this case.
With the Saket court now framing charges, Imam faces a long legal battle ahead, as the case moves forward under serious allegations of conspiracy and incitement.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
