Delhi court cancels activist Sharjeel Imam's interim bail over media contact breach

Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai cancelled the interim bail on Saturday following a prosecution application alleging breach of court-imposed conditions. Imam had been granted seven days of interim bail from October 4-10 to attend his cousin's wedding, contingent upon restrictions including a prohibition on social media use and interactions with mediapersons.

The prosecution alleged that Imam violated these conditions by remaining present during a journalist's interview with his brother. In its order, the court examined video footage uploaded on YouTube and social media platform X, which purportedly showed Imam seated in the same room as his brother while the media interview was being conducted.

The defence had contended that the video comprised separate, unrelated clips, but the court rejected this argument based on the evidence presented. The cancellation marks a significant development in the case against Imam, who faces charges related to the communal violence that erupted in northeast Delhi in February 2020.

The interim bail had been structured with specific conditions to balance the accused's release with court oversight. The revocation underscores judicial emphasis on compliance with bail conditions, particularly those designed to restrict public communication during ongoing legal proceedings.