1 day ago
NIA Court Rejects Bail for Teacher Accused of Terror Support
A court in Jammu decided not to release Tanveer Ahmed Malik on bail.
He is accused of helping Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists in the Doda-Kishtwar area.
Prosecutors say he gave them food, places to hide and other help.
Malik has been in jail since March 2021.
His lawyers argued that keeping him in jail for more than five years was unfair because the trial was taking too long.
The judge said the trial had already started and that 30 witnesses had testified.
The judge also worried that Malik might influence important witnesses if released.
The court therefore kept him in custody while the case continues.
Special Judge Prem Sagar rejected Tanveer Ahmed Malik’s bail plea in a case involving alleged support for Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists.
The NIA alleges Malik provided food, shelter and logistical assistance to Haroon Abbas Wani and Tahir Ahmad Bhat from June 2019 to January 2020.
Malik was arrested on March 1, 2021, and the defence argued that more than five years in custody violated his right to a speedy trial.
The court noted that charges were framed on March 3, 2022, and 30 of the prosecution’s 101 witnesses had been examined.
The judge said the allegations, available evidence, possible witness influence and broader state-security concerns outweighed the case for release.
- Who
- Tanveer Ahmed Malik, a private school teacher from Doda district, is accused by the National Investigation Agency of aiding Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists.
- What
- The Special NIA Court rejected Malik’s bail application in a case alleging that he provided food, shelter and logistical support to terrorists.
- Where
- The case concerns the Doda-Kishtwar belt of Jammu and Kashmir, including Malik’s home and an alleged cave hideout near Tantna village.
- When
- Malik was arrested on March 1, 2021; the alleged assistance occurred from June 2019 until January 2020. The court rejected bail on Tuesday.
- Why
- The court cited the seriousness of the allegations, prima facie material, ongoing witness testimony and the risk that Malik could influence witnesses.
Defence
Prosecution and Court
Length of detention and speedy trial
Defence
Malik’s defence argued that he had spent more than five years in jail and that continued detention denied him liberty and a speedy trial.
Prosecution and Court
The court said the trial was already underway, with charges framed and 30 witnesses examined, and held that delay alone was not sufficient grounds for bail in a case under special legislation.
Nature of Malik’s alleged role
Defence
The defence sought Malik’s release while the allegations remained subject to trial and proof.
Prosecution and Court
The NIA alleged that Malik acted as an over-ground worker, provided food, shelter and logistics, and was close to joining Hizbul Mujahideen as an active terrorist.
Risk after release
Defence
The defence maintained that prolonged custody justified bail.
Prosecution and Court
The judge found a likelihood that Malik could influence key witnesses and said his release could hamper justice; the NIA also warned that handlers could again use him to provide clandestine support.
Key facts
- Accused
- Tanveer Ahmed Malik, a resident of Tantna village in Doda district
- Arrest
- March 1, 2021
- Alleged support
- Food, shelter and logistical assistance for Haroon Abbas Wani and Tahir Ahmad Bhat
- Alleged hideouts
- Malik’s residence and an abandoned underground cave near his home
- Trial progress
- Charges were framed on March 3, 2022; 30 of 101 prosecution witnesses had been examined
- Court
- Special NIA Court in Jammu, presided over by Special Judge Prem Sagar
- Related incident
- The case originated from the March 8, 2019 alleged snatching of a police rifle, three magazines and 90 rounds
Quotes
Prem Sagar
Special Judge of the NIA Court who ruled on Malik’s bail application
“material available on record indicates the involvement of the applicant in furtherance of conspiracy for unlawful activities which needs to be corroborated from other relevant witnesses yet to be examined. And in such a scenario, if the applicant is released on bail, there is every likelihood that he will influence the key witnesses of the case which might hamper the process of justice”
indianexpress.com
“If this yardstick is adopted, by and large, no person accused of committing the offence under the special enactment could be detained in prison after expiry of a certain specified period, ignoring the prima facie materials that are relied on by the prosecution”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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