The Delhi High Court on Monday, September 28, sought a response from Tihar Jail authorities on a plea by JNU scholar Sharjeel Imam seeking permission to access research material stored on a pen drive to continue his PhD.
Justice Sanjeev Narula directed the jail authorities to file a status report. The court has listed the matter for November 2.
Imam’s lawyer, Advocate Ahmad Ibrahim, told the court that Imam has been in custody since January 2020 and was in the final year of his PhD when he was arrested.
He said Imam’s PhD synopsis had been approved by both the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Imam seeks access to 2,132 research files
The plea seeks permission for Imam to access research material stored on a pen drive using a computer inside the jail without internet or WiFi access.
Ibrahim said the material consists of 2,132 files, including research articles, books and screenshots of archival records.
He told the court that the material could first be checked by prison authorities and then transferred from the pen drive to a computer without internet access. Imam could then use the computer under the supervision of jail officials. (Live Law)
When the court asked why physical copies could not be provided, Ibrahim said printing the material would run into lakhs of pages, according to Bar and Bench.
Delhi Police says jail authorities should respond
The Special Public Prosecutor appearing for the Delhi Police told the court that the prosecution had not opposed Imam’s request before the trial court.
The prosecutor said the objection had come from the prison authorities and therefore their response should be sought.
He also said the request could be considered under the supervision of jail officials if Imam identifies the material he needs to access.
The matter relates to Imam’s effort to continue his academic research while in custody. According to his plea, the trial court had earlier allowed the Superintendent of Prison to consider a similar request.
In April 2026, the then prison superintendent reportedly allowed Imam to receive the pen drive from his lawyers. However, the superintendent was transferred before the material could be delivered. The new superintendent later declined the request, saying a specific court order was required.
In July, the trial court left the matter to the discretion of the prison superintendent.
Bail plea to be heard on September 30
Imam is an accused in the case concerning the alleged larger conspiracy linked to the 2020 North East Delhi riots. He has been in custody since January 2020. The allegations against him remain subject to judicial proceedings.
Separately, a Delhi court recently granted Imam interim bail from October 4 to October 10 to attend his cousin’s wedding. The bail order imposed conditions, including restrictions on contacting witnesses and people connected with the case, as well as restrictions on social media and contact with the media.
The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear the regular bail pleas of Imam and former JNU scholar Umar Khalid on September 30 in the 2020 Delhi riots case.
