Delhi High Court has reserved its decision on Tasleem Ahmed’s bail plea in the 2020 riots conspiracy case. The Court stressed that facts, not just delays, determine bail under UAPA.
The Delhi High Court will hear Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s arguments opposing the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. Both are accused under UAPA in the alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 North East Delhi riots.
In the Bhima Koregaon case, the Supreme Court questioned the delay in filing a bail appeal by an accused in custody for 8 years, saying, “Some urgency must be shown” as the May 2 order was already passed.
Judge Sameer Bajpai will resume hearing the 2020 Delhi riots UAPA trial starting July 1, following the Delhi High Court’s order. His return aims to ensure continuity in the high-profile case amidst serious allegations of a premeditated conspiracy behind the violence, which resulted in over 50 deaths and extensive injuries.
The Supreme Court granted NewsClick a one-week protection from any coercive action over a tax demand. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, however, rejected a writ petition filed by PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd. The petition was filed directly under Article 32 of the Constitution. The court’s decision provides temporary relief but does not settle the tax dispute.
The Supreme Court clarified that the NIA court in Delhi can continue hearing the case of Engineer Rashid. He was arrested in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in a terror funding case. Rashid remains in jail as an accused in the matter. The ruling affirms the jurisdiction of the NIA court over the proceedings.
Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna stated that high courts are capable of handling UAPA challenges initially. He emphasized that the Supreme Court should not be the first forum for such cases. The bench advised petitioners to approach the respective high courts before seeking intervention from the apex court. This decision reinforces the legal process and judicial hierarchy in handling UAPA cases.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (18th Dec) has adjourned Surendra Gadling’s bail plea in the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case until January due to his counsel’s request for more time to review the state’s reply. Gadling faces serious charges, including those under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, related to alleged Maoist connections.
The Supreme Court of India granted bail to Athar Parwez, accused of plotting disturbances during Prime Minister Modi’s visit, citing the prolonged detention without trial as an infringement of personal liberty. The court noted doubts about evidence and emphasized the need for a timely trial, ordering his release under specified conditions.
On Thursday(18th July), the Supreme Court granted bail to Sheikh Javed Iqbal, a Nepali citizen detained under UAPA for over nine years, citing his right to a speedy trial. Justices J B Pardiwala and Ujjal Bhuyan emphasized that statutory restrictions should not impede fundamental rights, noting the trial’s extremely slow progress.
