Visakhapatnam:The Special NIA Court in Visakhapatnam has granted default bail to Shadman Dilkash and Sayeeda Begum, Accused Nos. 4 and 5 respectively in a case linked to alleged online radicalisation activities, after the statutory investigation period expired without a charge sheet being filed against them.

According to defence counsel Abdus Saleem, the court directed both accused to furnish personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each along with two sureties.

As part of the bail conditions, Sayeeda Begum, a Hyderabad-based domestic helper, must appear before the NIA office in Hyderabad every month. Shadman Dilkash, a NEET aspirant from Patna in Bihar, has been directed to report to the NIA office in Patna monthly.

The case was initially registered by the II Town police station in Vijayawada under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Information Technology Act. The investigation was later transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

According to court records submitted by the defence, the NIA filed charge sheets against other accused in the case but did not file them against Accused Nos. 4 and 5.

The defence petition contended that no material was available against the two accused and that their continued detention was not permissible after the statutory investigation period had expired.

The defence argued that the statutory period of 180 days had elapsed and that the prosecution had informed the designated court that there was no case against Accused Nos. 4 and 5. It further submitted that there was no material to establish the alleged offences against them.

After hearing submissions from both sides, the Special NIA Court granted default bail subject to conditions.

Saleem said the order reaffirmed the legal principle that accused persons are entitled to default bail when the investigation is not completed within the prescribed statutory period.

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