Mahima
The Delhi High Court has sought reply from the NIA concerning the bail application of Abdul Wahid Sidibappa.
Siddibappa is a suspected key operative for Indian Mujahideen who has filed a plea seeking bail on the ground of ‘inordinate delay’ in the trial.
He was arrested around five years ago in a case of alleged conspiracy to carry out terror attacks in the country.
A bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Anup Jairam Bhambhani issued a notice to the NIA about the petition filed by the accused.
Sidibappa’s counsellor, MS Khan contended that the petitioner has been incarcerated in Tihar Jail since five long years awaiting trial in a case which was registered around eight years ago.
Khan also said that the petitioner is requesting bail as there has been no progress in the case, the trial has not commenced as charges were yet to be framed and there are around 363 witnesses to examine.
The petition also sought direction to the NIA Special Courts to stringently adhere to conducting trial on a day-to-day basis of scheduled offences under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
NIA lodged an FIR around eight years ago against members and sleeper cells of IM who were conspiring to commit terrorist activities by bomb blasts targeting prominent places in India especially Delhi with active aid from their Pakistan-based associates, thus waging war against the government of India.
NIA filed four charge sheets against Sidibappa for his allegedly active role as the main conduit in the chain of fund supply for commission of the Act.
A non-bailable warrant was issued by a trial court against Sidibappa which kept on extending and later became a Red Corner Notice.
Sidibappa was a Karnataka-based cousin of co-founder of IM, Yasin Bhatkal. He was arrested from Indira Gandhi International Airport on his deportation form Dubai.