Best Morning To Send A Message: SC Denies Bail to Accused In Terror Case
The petitioner was arrested in May 2023 in the case, which was probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA)
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied bail to a man allegedly associated with the Islamic State (IS) outfit, noting that he has been accused of trying to create a "ring of terror" in the country. During the hearing, which took place a day after a blast near Delhi's Red Fort that killed at least 12 people, a bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta said it was the "best morning to send a message".
The observation came from the top court after the petitioner's counsel said it may not be the best morning to argue the case after what happened on Monday. The bench was hearing a plea filed by the accused Syed Mamoor Ali, challenging a January order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court that denied him bail in the case. The petitioner was arrested in May 2023 in the case, which was probed by the National Investigation Agency.
On Tuesday, the top court asked the petitioner's counsel about the recoveries made in the case. "Forget the witnesses for the moment, how do you explain the recoveries," the court asked. "There is no recovery except Islamic literature," counsel replied.
The bench said it was alleged that the accused had formed a WhatsApp group identical to that of the ISIS. "What was the intention behind that," the court asked.
The top court said charges were framed against the accused and there was a prima facie case against him. "You are accused of trying to create a ring of terror in the country. Sorry," the top court said, adding that the accused was trying to create turbulence in India.
The lawyer said no explosive has been recovered and the petitioner, who was in custody for two and a half years was 70 per cent differently-abled.
The top court refused to entertain the plea seeking bail. It, however, directed the trial court to conclude the trial in the case within two years. "In case the trial is not concluded within the aforesaid period for no fault attributable to the petitioner, it would be open for the petitioner to revive his prayer for bail," the apex court said.
