Delhi Police Submits Its Reply In Sharjeel Imam’s Plea Against Extra Time To Complete Probe

Delhi Police has submitted its report in a plea filed by Sharjeel Imam in the Delhi High Court challenging the trial court’s order granting more time to police to file charge sheet against him under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Delhi Police has stated in its reply that they need to investigate more in this matter through Sharjeel’s Whatsapp messages and telephonic calls.

Sharjeel in his plea sought directions to set aside the order passed by Sh. Gurvinder Pal Singh extending the period of investigation permissible under Section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (“CrPC”) to 180 days. He has further sought directions allowing him to be released on bail under section 167 (2) of the CrPC, till the trial is pending before the Court.

The Police further submit that due to the Lockdown for the containment of COVID-19 the investigating agency tried investigating Sharjeel through Whatsapp messages and telephonic calls. Police have further contended Sharjeel’s bail in its reply.

Earlier, the Court observed that “The invocation of UAPA on the 88th day of the Petitioner’s custody, is evidently with the sole intention to curtail the Petitioner’s liberty and deprive him of right to the statutory bail after custody of 90 days, under Section 167(2) CrPC.”

The matter is listed for 10^th June 2020.

-India Legal Bureau