Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) scholar Sharjeel Imam has approached a Delhi court seeking interim bail for two weeks to participate in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Imam filed his application before Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai at the Karkardooma Courts, which is handling his trial in the Delhi riots conspiracy case. He has requested interim bail from October 15 to October 29, citing the need to contest elections from the Bahadurganj constituency in Bihar as an independent candidate.
Sharjeel Imam has been named in multiple cases connected to protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). While he has obtained bail in some of these cases, he remains in custody in the Delhi riots case, in which the Delhi Police has invoked the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Earlier, Imam&rsquo;s plea for regular bail in this case was rejected by the Delhi High Court on September 2, and his appeal against that order is pending before the Supreme Court. In his interim bail application, Imam described himself as a "political prisoner and student activist," emphasizing that his detention has prevented him from exercising his democratic right to contest elections.
The Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled in two phases, from October 10 to November 16, 2025, and Imam&rsquo;s application seeks temporary release to enable his participation in the electoral process. The court is expected to hear the matter in the coming days, with significant attention on the balance between legal proceedings and electoral rights.

Sharjeel Imam Seeks Bail to Contest Bihar Polls

JNU scholar requests two-week interim bail from Delhi riots case for election nomination

Sharjeel Imam Seeks Bail to Contest Bihar Polls

JNU scholar requests two-week interim bail from Delhi riots case for election nomination

October 13, 2025 | 18:53 IST