Shifa-Ur-Rehman, the AIMIM candidate from Okhla, has been granted custody parole till February 3. He will be allowed to step out of jail daily from 8:30 AM to 6 PM. The decision was made by a trial court bench headed by Justice Sameer Vajpayee.
Rehman has been in jail since April 2020 for his alleged role in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. He was the president of the Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association at the time. Authorities accuse him of planning to incite riots in North East Delhi, a charge he and his supporters strongly deny.
Okhla, a Muslim-majority area, still carries the wounds of the 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead—38 Muslims and 15 Hindus. Many activists and students were arrested following the violence.
Rehman’s supporters say they will continue to fight for justice.
The AIMIM has not yet issued an official statement on Rehman’s parole but is expected to rally behind him during the campaign period.
(developing story)