Shahrukh Pathan, an accused in the North Delhi communal riots case, has been granted interim bail for 15 days by Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of the Karkardooma District Court. The order was passed on Friday allowing Pathan temporary relief from custody.
Pathan, who gained notoriety after being seen in a viral video allegedly pointing a gun at a police officer during the February 2020 riots in North Delhi, has been in judicial custody. His counsels, Advocate Khalid Akhtar and Advocate Abdullah Akhtar argued for the interim bail, citing necessary personal grounds. The prosecution had opposed the plea, contending that Pathan’s release, even for a short period, could impact the case proceedings.
Judge Sameer Bajpai, after hearing both sides, granted Pathan interim bail for 15 days, imposing conditions to ensure he does not influence witnesses or disrupt the ongoing investigation. The court also directed him to furnish a surety bond and provide his location details to the investigating authorities during the bail period.
Pathan is one of the several accused facing charges related to the violent clashes that erupted in North Delhi in February 2020, which led to multiple casualties and extensive property damage. The case has been under rigorous legal scrutiny, with multiple arrests and ongoing trials.
Legal experts see this interim bail as a temporary relief rather than an indication of any leniency in the proceedings against him. Pathan is expected to surrender upon the completion of the bail period as per the court’s directives.
This story was originally published in muslimmirror.com.
