Activist Sharjeel Imam was released from Tihar Jail on Friday after a Delhi court granted him interim bail for 10 days to attend his brother’s wedding and visit his ailing mother.
The sessions court permitted his release from March 20 to March 30, directing that he surrender once the bail period ends.
“The interim bail is being granted only for the purpose of attending the wedding and related family needs,” the court said.
Imam had sought bail for six weeks, but the court allowed relief for a shorter duration. It also directed him not to interact with the media while out on bail.
Imam has been in custody for about six years in connection with a larger conspiracy case linked to the northeast Delhi violence in 2020. He was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and provisions of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code.
Delhi Police have alleged that he was a “mastermind” behind the violence, which broke out during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC).
In January this year, the Supreme Court denied regular bail to Imam and co-accused Umar Khalid, observing that the two were involved in “planning, mobilisation and strategic direction” of the violence.