Early Times Report
Jammu, May 26: The Special Judge NIA Cases, Jammu, Prem Sagar, has rejected the interim bail plea of UAPA accused Waheed-Ul-Zahoor, who had sought temporary release to attend the marriage ceremony of his sister in Srinagar. The accused, lodged in District Jail Amphalla, is facing trial in case RC-06/2024/NIA/JMU for offences under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Sections 7 and 25 of the Arms Act and Sections 2 and 4 of the Explosive Substances Act. The applicant had pleaded that his sister’s marriage was scheduled for August 14 and 15, 2026, and that his presence was socially, morally and religiously necessary for performing family rituals.
Appearing for the accused, Advocate I H Bhat submitted that the applicant had deep roots in society, would not misuse liberty, and was ready to abide by any condition imposed by the court.
The National Investigation Agency strongly opposed the plea. NIA, through SPP G S Charak and PPs Chandan Kumar Singh and Ashwani Verma, submitted objections filed by CIO DySP Sudhanshu Rana, contending that there was a statutory bar under Section 43-D(5) of the UAPA and that the allegations involved national security, public order and safety of citizens.
The NIA further referred to jail reports alleging that the accused had indulged in misconduct, created a law-and-order situation inside jail, incited inmates on communal lines, used filthy language, made derogatory remarks against jail administration and physically assaulted jail staff.
After hearing both sides, the court held that the past conduct of the accused inside jail disentitled him from the concession of interim bail. The court observed that the rituals or customary obligations at the marriage could be performed by the applicant’s younger brother, and no material had been placed on record to show that the accused’s presence was indispensable.
Rejecting the application, the court held that the personal interest of the accused could not override concerns of national security, public order and safety of citizens as projected by the prosecution. The interim bail application was accordingly dismissed. |
