Sharjeel Imam has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court’s refusal to grant him bail in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. A Special Leave Petition (SLP) (Criminal) was filed today against the High Court’s recent order denying him bail.

In his plea, Sharjeel Imam has mentioned that he has remained in custody for over six years without commencement of trial, with charges yet to be framed and not a single prosecution witness examined. He has contended that the one-year restriction imposed by the Supreme Court while denying him bail in January 2026 is nearing its expiry.

The Supreme Court had, on January 5, denied bail to Imam and Umar Khalid while granting bail to five other accused, distinguishing their alleged roles in the larger conspiracy.

The Delhi High Court, on September 30, had rejected Imam’s bail appeal, holding that it was bound by the Supreme Court’s earlier directions and could not modify the conditions imposed on him.