The Supreme Court urged the Centre and Delhi government to consider setting up a special court for a day-to-day trial in an ISIS-linked NIA case, citing serious delays. The court warned that prolonged trials under special laws could force courts to grant bail due to violation of personal liberty.
The NIA has secured a five-day remand for two Pahalgam residents, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, for allegedly harboring terrorists behind April’s attack that killed 26 tourists. They provided shelter and support to the attackers, confirming their identities as Pakistani militants linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. Further investigations are ongoing.
The NIA has opposed Tahawwur Rana’s request to contact his family during ongoing investigations into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. A Delhi court has directed jail authorities to report on Rana’s application. Rana, extradited from the US, remains in custody as voice and handwriting samples are collected for the case.
The Supreme Court on Monday (16th Dec) ruled that the NIA can investigate not only scheduled offences but also non-scheduled offences if a connection is established. The court denied bail to Ankush Vipan Kapoor, accused of smuggling heroin, linking him to a larger smuggling network. Concerns over drug abuse and societal impacts were also highlighted.
Controversial preacher Zakir Naik retracted his plea today (23rd Oct) to consolidate hate speech FIRs during a Supreme Court hearing. The court questioned his right to petition while being a fugitive. Naik faces multiple investigations for promoting communal enmity and is believed to reside in Malaysia since leaving India in 2016.