Delhi/Hyderabad, May 22: The Supreme Court of India on Friday granted bail to Suhail Ahmad Thokar, who was arrested in a terror conspiracy case linked to alleged recruitment and radicalisation activities in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.
The case is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Supreme Court Cites Long Custody Period
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi passed the order while hearing Thokar’s appeal against a September 2023 Delhi High Court decision denying him bail.
The Supreme Court noted that the accused had already spent a considerable period in custody since his arrest on October 20, 2021, and observed that the trial was likely to take more time to conclude.
The court directed that Thokar be released on bail after furnishing the required bond before the special NIA court in Delhi.
According to the prosecution, the case was registered following intelligence inputs regarding an alleged conspiracy in the Kashmir Valley involving banned terror organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Investigators alleged that the groups, along with Pakistan-based handlers and facilitators, were attempting to radicalise local youth and recruit so-called “hybrid terrorists” after the Centre revoked Article 370 on August 5, 2019.
The NIA alleged that Suhail Ahmad Thokar actively provided shelter and logistical support to members and associates of terrorist organisations operating in the region.
During earlier proceedings before the Delhi High Court, Thokar’s counsel argued that there was no substantial evidence linking him to any terror conspiracy and claimed that nothing incriminating was recovered from his possession.
However, the NIA opposed the bail plea, stating that evidence collected during the investigation indicated his involvement in facilitating terrorist activities in the Kashmir Valley.
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