Sharjeel Imam files plea before Delhi High Court for bail after Supreme Court order on sedition

After the Supreme Court order to keep the proceedings in sedition cases in abeyance, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Sharjeel Imam has approached the Delhi High Court seeking bail in a the case of sedition against him. .An application has been filed by Imam in this regard in his already pending bail appeal before the High Court in the case stemming from allegedly inflammatory speeches related to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizen (NRC). Imam has submitted that his bail was rejected by the lower court primarily because it had sought it fit to frame sedition charges thereby finding that a prima facie offence under Section 124A was made out against him. The application filed by him on May 12 states that the case against him now stands significantly diluted and improves his case for securing bail. "In view of the Hon'ble Supreme Court's directions, the hindrance raised by the Ld. Special Court in the impugned order stands obviated, and observations surrounding the offence under section 124-A IPC cannot be taken into consideration in the proceedings against the Appellant pending the final outcome of the Constitutional challenges to the section," the application argued. The application has been filed through advocates Talib Mustafa, Ahmad Ibrahim and Kartik Venu. .Imam might perhaps the first person in a long line of people charged with the British-era offence, to approach the court seeking bail. Last week, the apex court had directed that all pending appeal, proceedings with respect to charge frame under Section 124A (sedition) to be kept in abeyance. The top court had added that affected parties are at liberty to approach the concerned courts for appropriate relief. .Imam's original bail plea as well as appeal challenging framing of sedition charges for his speeches are listed for hearing tomorrow. His another appeal for bail in the Delhi riots conspiracy case is listed for hearing on May 23. .[BREAKING] Sedition: Supreme Court orders Section 124A IPC to be kept in abeyance; asks Central government, States not to register new cases