human rights defender

Shadab Ahmad

© X (twitter)

HRD's year of birth

1993

HRD's Gender

Man

Type of HRD

  • Academic
  • Social and community leader

HRD's thematic area of engagement

  • Civil and political rights
  • Minorities’ rights

HRD's geographical origin

Urban

HRD's bio and work

Shadab Ahmad (also referred to as Shadab Ahmed) is an Indian activist who participated in the peaceful anti-CAA protests in Northeast Delhi.

Current Status

Released on bail

Detained since

Apr 6, 2020

Date of release

Jan 7, 2026

Charge(s)

  • Anti-government propaganda
  • Creating disturbances
  • Damage to public property
  • Other
  • Subversion
  • Terrorism

Sentence

The FIR 59/2020 was registered by the Delhi Police Special Cell, charging under multiple statutes:

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA): Section 13: Punishment for unlawful activities. Section 16: Punishment for terrorist act. Section 17: Punishment for raising funds for terrorist acts. Section 18: Punishment for conspiracy. Indian Penal Code (IPC): Section 120B: Criminal conspiracy. Section 302: Murder. Section 307: Attempt to murder. Section 124A: Sedition (prosecution stayed by Supreme Court orders, but remains in the charge sheet). Section 153A: Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion. Section 147 & 148: Rioting and rioting armed with deadly weapon. Section 149: Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object. Section 353: Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty. Section 186, 212, 395, 427, 435, 436, 452, 454: Assorting IPC sections relating to rioting, damage, and trespass. Arms Act, 1959: Sections 25 & 27: Possession and use of unlicensed arms. Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, 1984: Sections 3 & 4: Mischief causing damage to public property.

Geolocation of detention

Country or area of detention

Region of detention

  • Asia: Southern Asia

Location of detention - City/Town

New Delhi

Location of detention - Facility

Tihar Jail, New Delhi

Recent case update / evolution

The Supreme Court of India granted bail on 05 January 2026.

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