‘Victim of violence’: Sharjeel Imam to Delhi HC in response to plea against his discharge in Jamia violence case

JNU student Sharjeel Imam has told the Delhi High Court that he was the victim of violence and not the one who committed any offence in connection with the 2019 Jamia violence case.

Defending his discharge in a 2019 Jamia Nagar violence case, he only campaigned in favour of peaceful protest and ‘chakka jam’ cannot be termed a “violent method of protest”.

In his written submissions filed in response to the Delhi Police’s plea challenging the trial court order of February 4 discharging him and several others, Imam said that the act of shouting slogans “in favor of a particular means of peaceful protest” in no manner portrays his participation in the alleged violence that happened during the CAA protest.

The case concerns the clash that took place between police and anti-CAA protesters in Jamia Millia Islamia in December 2019 in which several activists were hurt. According to report, some policemen were also injured in stone pelting incident.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma listed the case for hearing on March 23 after the investigating agency sought time on account of the ill health of one of its lawyers. The court asked the respondents to file their written submissions in the meantime.

A Delhi Court had discharged Imam, Zargar, Tanha and eight others on and said that they had been made the “scapegoats” because the police were unable to apprehend the “actual perpetrators.” But, the Delhi police had approached the High Court to challenge their discharge in the case on 8 February.

The Delhi court judge, who discharged Imam and others, recused himself from hearing similar cases related to the violence, owing to “personal reasons,” on 11 February. Arul Varma, Special Judge (NDPS), South-East District, Saket Court said, “Due to personal reasons, the undersigned hereby recuses from hearing the matter.”

Meanwhile, Imam continues to remain incarcerated as a UAPA accused in connection with the Delhi Riots ‘Larger Conspiracy’ Case.

-INDIA NEWS STREAM