Overview
- A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta refused bail to the accused, citing seized material and a WhatsApp group resembling ISIS as establishing a prima facie case.
- The Supreme Court directed the trial court to conclude proceedings within two years and allowed the accused to renew his bail plea if delays are not attributable to him.
- Nineteen of 64 proposed witnesses have been examined so far, and the petitioner has been in custody for more than two years.
- Defense counsel argued that only Islamic literature was recovered, no explosives were found, and the accused is 70% disabled, while also questioning a protected witness’s testimony.
- A separate car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort the previous day is under investigation under the UAPA and the Explosives Act, with senior leaders pledging accountability.