- By Shubham Bajpai
- Mon, 13 Oct 2025 06:29 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Sharjeel Imam, the former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) scholar and accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case, has approached a Delhi court seeking interim bail to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, according to a report by Bar and Bench.
Imam has filed the bail petition before the Karkardooma Courts' Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sameer Bajpai, who has been hearing the Delhi riots conspiracy case.
Imam has sought an interim bail of two weeks from October 15 to 29. Imam has been jailed in the riots case. He has been booked under multiple cases, including those related to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) protests.
He has got bail in every other case, except the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case. The bail has become a tough thing in the case as the Delhi Police has invoked the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
Bail petition pending in SC
His last regular bail petition before the Delhi High Court was rejected on September 2. After the High Court rejection, Imam has approached the Supreme Court, where his appeal in pending.
In his interim bail plea, Imam has argued that he is a political prisoner and a student activist.
Imam wants to contest from Bahadurgan
“That since the Applicant is a political prisoner and a student activist, he is willing to contest elections from his home state Bihar which is scheduled to take place from in 2 phases from 10.10.2025 to 16.11.2025,” the plea states.
The petition stated that Imam is seeking to contest the election from the Bahadurgan seat as an independent candidate.
"That it is pertinent to mention that the Applicant is contesting as an independent candidate and is not associated with any political party. There is no one to take care of and make arrangements for his nomination and campaign for the elections, except his younger brother, who is also currently looking after his ailing mother and providing for his family."