The Delhi High Court granted bail to an accused in a case involving alleged financial support to the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. The court’s decision was based on specific case merits and after evaluating the evidence presented. This ruling highlights the importance of due process, even in cases related to terrorism charges, as the legal system upholds principles of fair trial and justice.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court granted bail to Javed Ali, who was accused of financing terrorist activities for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Amit Sharma reversed the earlier trial court’s denial of bail, pointing to the extended duration of judicial custody and the slow pace of witness examination as significant factors in their decision.
A bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Amit Sharma granted bail to Javed Ali, overturning a trial court’s earlier denial in April.
Noting that Ali has been in judicial custody since November 10, 2019, the High Court highlighted that only nine out of 221 prosecution witnesses have been examined, indicating the trial may take considerable time to conclude.
The bench stated,
“In the totality of the facts and circumstances of the case, this court is of the considered opinion that the appellant (Ali) has been able to satisfy the requirement of Section 43D(5) of the UAPA for grant of bail,”
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Javed Ali arrested in November 2019 on allegations of transferring funds from Saudi Arabia to operatives in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.
These funds were allegedly meant to support reconnaissance missions across India, recruit terrorists, and identify vulnerable targets, such as foreign nationals and tourists. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) claimed that Ali had links to the banned terror group LeT and played a role in managing financial transactions via hawala networks.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, the Delhi High Court observed that, out of 221 witnesses listed by the prosecution, only nine had been examined since Ali’s detention began over three years ago.
The court noted that only one failed financial transaction could be directly associated with Ali, and there was insufficient evidence to prove his direct involvement in funding terrorist activities.
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The Delhi High Court’s decision to grant bail in the Lashkar-e-Taiba funding case highlights the delicate balance between ensuring national security and upholding individual rights. It serves as a reminder of the judiciary’s crucial role in maintaining this equilibrium and the necessity for investigative agencies to present compelling evidence when prosecuting individuals in terror-related cases.
As the legal proceedings continue, this case will likely serve as a benchmark for future cases involving allegations of terror financing, emphasizing the need for meticulous investigation and adherence to legal standards.