Sreenivasan murder case: HC grants bail to four PFI members
A Division Bench of Justice V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice K.V. Jayakumar granted them bail while hearing their plea challenging the dismissal of their bail applications by the NIA Special Court, Ernakulam. Muhammed Bilal, Riyasudheen, K.P. Ansar, and K.V. Saheer, who were granted bail, had been arraigned as among the accused in the case.
They had been charged with participating in a conspiracy, conducting reconnaissance along with the other accused, and playing a prominent role in facilitating the murder. They contended that, though the incident was a 'political murder', the NIA deliberately gave it a communal colour by deleting the name of the political party from the final report, replacing it with 'a Hindu leader,' and incorporating provisions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The NIA deposed before the court that the investigation had revealed that the PFI had a hidden agenda to overthrow democracy in India and to establish Islamic rule by 2047.
The court said that the final report filed by the NIA was voluminous, consisting of 1,688 documents, 1,114 witnesses, 696 material objects, and 10 terabytes of forensic reports. Given the magnitude of the prosecution case and the stay on proceedings issued by the Supreme Court, specifically interdicting the framing of charges, there is no foreseeable possibility of the trial commencing or concluding in the near future. Out of the total 66 accused in the case, 49 had already been enlarged on bail either by the High Court or the Supreme Court, and only 12 remained in custody. The court granted bail to the four accused since the accused persons facing almost similar charges had already been released.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
24 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
J&K: Police attach properties worth crores of 2 terrorists
Police on Tuesday attached properties worth crores belonging to two persons who according to officials are designated terrorists operating from across the border. Police on Tuesday attached properties worth crores belonging to two persons who according to officials are designated terrorists operating from across the border. (HT File) The properties were attached in Bandi Payeen Baramulla and Guree Bijbhera in Anantnag. Police described the attachment of properties as a major step towards dismantling terror networks and their support structures in the Valley. Police spokesman said that Srinagar police have attached orchard land measuring 3 kanals and 18 marlas, valued at approximately ₹1 crore, belonging to designated terrorist Asif Maqbool Dar who is presently operating from across the border. 'The property is located at Bandi Payeen, district action has been taken in connection with FIR No. 107/2020, registered at Police Station Parimpora, under Sections 124A, 153A, 295A IPC and Sections 13, 18 & 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act - UAPA. Proceedings were initiated under Section 25 of the UAPA, which empowers authorities to attach property used or intended to be used for terrorist activities. The attachment was carried out in the presence of the concerned Executive Magistrate,' the spokesman said. Police said that the property is formally held in the name of his father, Mohammad Maqbool Dar of Bandi Payeen, Baramulla, presently residing at HIG Colony, Bemina, investigations have established that Asif Maqbool Dar is an active stakeholder. 'He (Asif) has been involved in facilitating terrorism, spreading anti-national propaganda, and inciting disaffection against the government through various social media platforms for several years,' the spokesman said, adding that the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has already designated Asif Maqbool Dar as a terrorist. 'The attachment of his property is part of a larger and ongoing strategy aimed at disrupting the financial, logistical, and operational ecosystem of terror networks and their cross-border sponsors. This decisive action by Srinagar Police is intended to send a clear and strong message: those engaged in anti-national and terror-related activities will face strict legal consequences, including forfeiture of their assets.' Meanwhile Anantnag Police also attached immovable property of an active terrorist in Bijbehara south Kashmir. Police spokesman said that Anantnag Police, in its continued crackdown on the terror ecosystem, has attached immovable property belonging to an active terrorist under relevant provisions of law. 'The land falling under Khasra No. 165 MIN, situated at Guree, Bijbehara, and owned by Adil Hussain Thoker of Guree, Bijbehara, an active terrorist, has been attached under Section 83 of CrPC. The action has been taken in connection with FIR No. 11/2023 registered under Sections 20, 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Sections 2/3 of the EIMCO Act.' The spokesman said that this attachment is part of lawful measures aimed at dismantling the support structure of terrorism in the district. 'Such actions will continue against individuals found aiding or involved in unlawful and anti-national activities.'
Hindustan Times
24 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
South vs South: Oppn names ex-SC judge Reddy as V-P pick
Former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy will be the Opposition's candidate for the vice-presidential election, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge announced on Tuesday, pitching the September 9 poll as a battle between those who uphold the Constitution and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), where National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee CP Radhakrishnan began his political life. INDIA bloc's Vice-Presidential candidate former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy with MPs of Opposition parties at Delhi airport. Justice Reddy's nomination is also a calculated move to push lawmakers from K Chandrasekhara Rao's Bharat Rashtra Samithi, YS Jaganmohan Reddy's YSR Congress, and N Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party to vote for a Telugu-speaking public figure. To be sure, the TDP and the YSRCP reiterated their support for Radhakrishnan although there was no comment from the BRS. 'All Opposition parties have decided to have a common candidate; the decision has been taken unanimously. I am happy that all opposition parties have agreed on one name. It is a big achievement for democracy, Whenever democracy and the Constitution are under attack, Opposition parties unite to fight against it. So we have decided to field a good candidate in this election,' Kharge said. Justice Reddy's nomination means that the vice-presidential election will be a battle between two candidates from southern India, a first for the position. In the 781-member electoral college comprising both Houses of Parliament, the NDA holds the edge with 425 votes. HT had reported on Monday that the Trinamool Congress was pushing for justice Reddy. 'It is the parliamentarians who elect the vice-president. Political parties may sponsor the candidates. There is only one citizenship in this country. Myself and CP Radhakrishnan ji are Indian nationals. Whether it is South, North, East, West, nothing matters…,' the former judge said. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi hailed justice Reddy's selection. 'A distinguished jurist and champion of justice, he represents the spirit of our Constitution - safeguarding people's rights, equality and our democracy. We stand united in this ideological battle and wish him all the very best,' he said. After discussing a number of possible candidates in the Opposition meeting on Monday, the contest narrowed to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's choice of former space scientist Mylswamy Annadurai and Trinamool Congress-backed justice B Sudershan Reddy on Tuesday. As a back-up, Mahatma Gandhi's great grandson Tushar Gandhi's name was also shortlisted. On Tuesday, DMK leaders indicated they won't 'push' for Annadurai if there is a larger consensus for Reddy. When the Opposition leaders met again at Kharge's house on Tuesday morning, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh proposed the name of Reddy. Kharge spoke about Reddy's profile. No other names were discussed in the meeting. Later, Congress general secretary Nasser Hussain told HT, 'In the background of the ideological battle taking place in the country, we need someone with clear thoughts, who can defend democracy and can uphold the spirit of the Constitution. We also thought a person belonging to none of the parties, someone non-partisan, and who can uphold all these values would be a good candidate in this election.' An expert on the Constitution, Reddy was born in an agricultural family on July 8, 1946 in the Ranga Reddy district of Telangana (then part of the princely state of Hyderabad). Reddy graduated from Osmania University in Hyderabad in 1971. He was elevated as the additional judge of the Andhra Pradesh high court on May 2, 1995 and chief justice for Gauhati high court on December 5, 2005. On January 12, 2007, he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India; he retired on July 8, 2011. Among his notable verdicts was one declaring Salwa Judum, a local militia propped up by the state government in Chhattisgarh to fight Maoists, as anti-constitutional. He was also part of a bench that pulled up the then United Progressive Alliance government for 'sleeping' on the issue of black money, and ordered a special investigation team in 2011. After his retirement, he was appointed as the first Lokayukta of Goa in March 2013. Reddy was also the chairman of the expert group for the Telangana caste survey. Reddy arrived in Delhi on Tuesday evening to an impromptu reception by Opposition leaders. The last date of filing nominations for the V-P election is August 21. Reading out the joint statement, Kharge said, 'This vice-presidential contest is an ideological battle. The Opposition parties have nominated Shri B. Sudershan Reddy garu as their joint candidate since he fully reflects the values that shaped our country's freedom movement so profoundly and the values on which our country's Constitution and democracy have been anchored. All these values are under assault and therefore, our collective and determined resolve to fight this election.' DMK leader K Kanimozhi tweeted, 'Safeguarding democracy is about fighting all battles, big and small, on behalf of the people of India. INDIA stands united in this fight.' Communist Party of India lawmaker P Sandosh called the poll a fight between an RSS pracharak and the Constitution. 'This may create certain political changes in Andhra Pradesh,' he said. Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav said, 'Justice Reddy has had an outstanding reputation in the legal field... I believe our entire alliance has made an excellent decision...' Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Mahua Maji said, 'This will be a close contest.' Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh announced that his party will support justice Reddy. Bharatiya Janata Party's Amit Malviya said justice Reddy is remembered for a judgment that weakened India's fight against Naxalism, referring to the banning of the Salwa Judum. 'The judgment was seen not just as a blow to a state government's counter-insurgency strategy, but as an instance of judicial sympathy for those aligned with the Maoist cause.'
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
PM, CMs, mins to go if held for 30 days on serious charges: Bills
NEW DELHI: In a significant move, home minister will on Wednesday move a set of three bills providing for mandatory resignation or removal of the Prime Minister, chief ministers and ministers at the Centre and in states/UTs, if they have spent 30 consecutive days under arrest or detention, on an allegation of committing offences punishable with imprisonment extending to five years or more. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, nothing will prevent such PM, CMs or ministers from being subsequently appointed to the same office by President or governor, upon their release from custody. The timing of the amendments, two days before the end of Parliament's Monsoon session, and their implications caught political circles by surprise. The Representation of the People's Act, 1951 provides for the disqualification of members of state legislatures and Parliament if they are convicted with a sentence of two years or more. Convictions for serious offences such as corruption and drug trafficking result in disqualification irrespective of the duration of the sentence. There was so far no bar on ministers holding on to their offices after their arrests: something that was justified on the ground that no one deserves to be punished until proven guilty. Until a few years ago, ministers and CMs facing arrests, resigned. But the convention was of late followed more in breach with several ministers continuing in their posts after their arrests. The SC recently sought to reinstate the practice by forcing Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji to step down. Shah, in the statement of objects and reasons of the bills, says the elected representatives, who represent hopes and aspirations of the people, are expected to act only in public interest and have character and conduct that is beyond any ray of suspicion. Ministers facing criminal charges hinder good governance, says Shah A minister, who is facing allegations of serious criminal offences, arrested and detained in custody, may thwart or hinder the canons of constitutional morality and principles of good governance and eventually diminish the constitutional trust reposed by people in him, Union minister Amit Shah said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The bills may be sent to a parliamentary panel for detailed scrutiny of provisions. The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill states the PM, if under arrest or detention for 30 days on allegation of committing an offence punishable with jail term that may extend to five years or more, shall tender his resignation by the 31st day. "If he does not tender his resignation, he shall cease to be PM with effect from the day falling thereafter," it adds. The same provisions will apply in case of a state or UT CM - the latter covered by two separate bills, Govt of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Act, 2025 - arrested for a straight 30 days for an offence carrying a prison sentence of five years or more. Even the ministers in the Council of States at Centre and in states/UTs will be bound by the same provisions. While a Union minister shall be removed from office by the President on advice of the PM, state or UT ministers shall be removed by the governor on advice of the CM. In recent past, then Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had refused to resign after he was arrested in a liquor 'scam' case and spent several months in jail. It was only after he was let out on bail that he stepped down and named Atishi as CM.
