A Delhi Court took cognizance against JNU student Sharjeel Imam for offences under sections 124A (sedition), 153A, (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, etc) 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 505 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
Imam, a student leader who was in the forefront of anti CAA protests, was arrested on January 28 over alleged inflammatory and instigatory speeches against CAA-NRC. Multiple FIRs for sedition were filed against him in Assam, Delhi, UP and Manipur alleging that his speeches amounted to sedition. He was later under booked the UAPA alleging that he was part of conspiracy behind the North East Delhi riots.
The court of Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat noted that while cognizance for commission of offence under Section 13 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was taken by the previous judge hearing the matter vide order dated 29.07.2020, cognizance for commission of offences under Sections 124A/153A/153B/505 IPC was deferred for want of requisite sanction under Section 196 CrPC for anti caa protest.
The judge said that the requisite sanction under section 196 CrPC, in the form of supplementary chargesheet under Section 173(8) CrPC, had been filed. The judge was hearing the matter in a physical hearing, whereas the accused Imam was presented via video conferencing from Central Jail No.1, Tihar for anti caa protest.
