Full Breakdown
Sharjeel Imam’s Request for PhD Research Access While in Tihar Jail
By Drooid · · How we work
Court Order and Request Details
The Delhi High Court, presided over by Justice Sanjeev Narula, directed the Tihar Jail authorities to file a status report on Sharjeel Imam’s petition to use a computer inside the prison for accessing research material stored on a pen-drive. The court set the response deadline for November 2, 2026. Imam, who has been in custody since January 28, 2020, argues that the material is essential for completing his doctoral dissertation, which was in its final year at the time of his arrest.
Background of the 2020 North-East Delhi Riots Case
Imam is an accused in the large-scale conspiracy case stemming from the riots that erupted in north-east Delhi in early 2020 following protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. He faces charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the Indian Penal Code, the Arms Act, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. A trial court recently granted him a brief period of interim bail to attend his cousins’ weddings, marking only the second such relief in more than six years of detention.
Data on Requested Materials
Imam’s counsel, Advocate Ahmad Ibrahim, specified that the pen-drive contains 2,132 files comprising research articles, books, and screenshots of archival records. The volume of material, Ibrahim argued, would be impractical to provide as physical copies, which would amount to “lakhs of pages.”
Official Statements & Responses
- Advocate Ahmad Ibrahim (petitioner’s counsel): Stated that Imam’s PhD synopsis has been approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He emphasized that Imam seeks only offline computer access, not internet connectivity, and proposed that the jail staff supervise the process.
- Special Public Prosecutor for Delhi Police: Confirmed that the prosecution did not oppose the request in earlier proceedings; the objection originated from the jail administration. The SPP indicated that the request could be accommodated if Imam identifies the specific material to be accessed and the procedure remains under jail supervision.
- Tihar Jail authorities: No formal response was on record at the time of the hearing; the court’s order seeks their detailed reply by the November deadline.
Verbatim Quotes
- “At the time of his arrest, he was in the final year of his PhD. His synopsis has been approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the University [JNU]. I am asking that he be allowed his research material,” — Ahmad Ibrahim, advocate
Timeline
- January 28, 2020 – Imam arrested in connection with the north-east Delhi riots.
- September 22, 2026 – Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai granted Imam seven days of interim bail to attend his cousins’ weddings (October 4 – October 10).
- November 2, 2026 – Delhi High Court ordered Tihar Jail to submit a status report on Imam’s PhD-material access request.
What’s Next
The High Court will consider the jail’s response on November 2, 2026 and determine whether the proposed offline computer arrangement can be authorized. No further hearings have been scheduled beyond that date.