Patiala House Court Grants Bail to UAPA Accused Madhesh Shankar After 4 Years 9 Months in Custody
मुख्य बातें
- •Madhesh Shankar alias Abdullah was held in custody for four years and nine months in a UAPA case.
- •The NIA alleged Shankar was radicalising youth through social media.
- •The court granted bail on a ₹1 lakh bond, citing prolonged custody and trial delays.
- •Conditions of bail include surrendering the passport and not contacting ISIS-linked individuals.
The special NIA court at Patiala House in New Delhi delivered a significant ruling on Monday, 23 September 2024, granting bail to Madhesh Shankar alias Abdullah, an accused in a case linked to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court ordered his release on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh.
Madhesh Shankar alias Abdullah was arrested by the NIA in 2021 on charges of terrorist activities. The agency alleged that Shankar was involved in radicalising youth through social media. After the completion of the investigation and the filing of the chargesheet, charges were framed. Despite this, Shankar had been in judicial custody for over four years and nine months due to the pending trial.
In its order, the court highlighted the prolonged detention and the delay in the trial as key reasons for granting bail. Special Judge Pitambar Dutt noted that the accused had been incarcerated for more than four years and nine months, with no early conclusion of the trial in sight. The court observed that the prosecution had examined only 61 witnesses out of nearly 90, indicating that the trial could take considerable more time. Considering these factors, the court accepted the bail plea.
