Overview
- Special Judge C S Baviskar rejected Shaikh’s bail on Monday, noting experts could not retrieve any data from his phone and SIM because they were broken into pieces.
- The order refers to investigators’ claims of a Pakistan-linked money trail, including a ₹49,999 transfer allegedly sent via Western Union and ₹49,000 recovered from a co-accused’s home.
- Prosecutors said Shaikh was in contact with a Pakistan-based individual known as Anthony and that Dawood gang handlers used internet calls to coordinate with the accused.
- The court said the available material, including alleged communications and funds, indicates a prima facie conspiracy to target MPs and MLAs who spoke against Muslims.
- Shaikh’s counsel argued false implication, lack of specific unlawful acts, and delay as the trial has not begun, noting a co-accused received High Court bail in 2023.