Delhi court sends Sharjeel Imam to 5-day police custody

He was arrested from Bihar’s Jehanabad on January 28 for allegedly making inflammatory speeches at the Jamia Millia Islamia University.

Sharjeel Imam, accused of allegedly making inflammatory statements, being taken to court from the Crime Branch, at Chanakyapuri in New Delhi on January 29, 2020.

A court here sent Sharjeel Imam, arrested on sedition charges, to five days of police custody on January 29, his lawyer said.

Mr. Imam was produced at the residence of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Purushottam Pathak in the evening amidst high security, said advocate Mishika Singh, appearing for the JNU research scholar in the matter.

Mr. Imam was arrested from Bihar’s Jehanabad on January 28 for allegedly making inflammatory speeches at the Jamia Millia Islamia University here and in Aligarh.

He was brought to Delhi on January 29.

The situation in the Patiala House Courts Complex was tense after the Delhi Police informed that Mr. Imam would be produced before the Magistrate there.

Some lawyers raised slogans against Mr. Imam, held up posters calling him a “traitor” and demanded that he be hanged.

One of the lawyers said, “We are here to protest against those who talk about breaking the country. All lawyers are united against such traitors. He does not deserve to be outside jail. Strict action should be taken against him.”

Heavy security, including CRPF personnel, was deployed outside the court premises.