Three years after arrest, HC grants bail to youth arrested by UP ATS over alleged Al-Qaeda links
Lucknow: The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has granted bail to Mohd Kamil, a Saharanpur resident who was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in October 2022 for alleged links with the banned militant organisation Al-Qaeda.
Kamil was among eight men arrested during a series of ATS raids, in which the agency had claimed to have busted a “sleeper cell” that was allegedly planning attacks in Lucknow and other cities across the state.
A division bench comprising Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Abdhesh Kumar Chaudhary granted bail to Kamil after finding grounds in his favour.
Kamil’s counsels Advocates Furkan Pathan, Arif Ali, Mujahid Ali, and Saif Ali argued that the ATS had no substantive evidence to support its claims. They told the court that the case was based on “conjecture and unverified allegations” rather than any concrete proof linking Kamil to terrorist activity.
“The prosecution failed to demonstrate any direct involvement of the accused in terrorist activity or possession of any incriminating material. Hence, the default bail was granted by the honourable court,” Advocate Saif Ali was quoted as saying by Maktoobmedia.com.
He further explained that the chargesheet was not filed within 90 days of Kamil’s arrest, which entitled him to default bail under law.
While granting bail, the High Court observed that prolonged incarceration without trial violates an individual’s fundamental right to liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. The court also stated that mere allegations, without sufficient supporting evidence, cannot justify continued detention.
The ATS has not yet issued a statement regarding the court’s decision. A detailed order is awaited.
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Attacks on Christians contradict PM's message of harmony, visit to church: Gehlot
Jaipur (PTI): Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday expressed concern over the reported attacks and disruptions in prayer gatherings of the Christian community in different parts of the country, saying such incidents were "worrying and condemnable".
In a post on X, Gehlot said that while the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting a church and giving a message of peace and harmony, news of attacks on members of the Christian community from various regions reflected a serious contradiction.
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"Symbolic gestures would not be enough, and strict legal action was required against those spreading hatred," the senior Congress leader said.
He added that Indian culture has always upheld the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", where every citizen has full freedom to practise their faith.
Gehlot urged the Centre and state governments to uphold the rule of law and ensure that no citizen is forced to celebrate their festival under fear.
