Delhi Court Terms Sharjeel Imam ‘One of the Kingpins’ behind 2019 Anti-CAA Violence

A Delhi court has framed a charge against Sharjeel Imam, a former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student, terming him “one of the kingpins” responsible for fomenting violence in the 2019 anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) agitation. The ruling is a key milestone in the legal process against Imam, who has been detained since 2020.

Imam came into the national limelight for participating in the Shaheen Bagh sit-in protest, which had become the hub of the anti-CAA protests. Women-led protests were internationally noted for their peaceful demonstrations against the CAA, a piece of legislation that was criticized for discriminating against Muslims.

The court said that Imam’s speeches during the protest were a prime factor in generating unrest. Imam has been booked on several counts under different provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), among which are charges of sedition, inciting enmity, and anti-national activities. Cases have been filed against him by the authorities in Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Delhi.

The provided comments by the court indicate the seriousness of charges, whereby the remarks also assert that Imam’s words and actions were allegedly responsible for violent events. The charging frames the door to a full trial, during which the prosecution will bring evidence to prove his involvement in the protests and following violence.

Imam’s lawyers have insisted his speeches were quoted out of context and that he simply was exercising his free speech rights. The case has set off renewed arguments over the thin line between dissent and incitement and the wider implications for civil liberties in India.