Supreme Court Upholds Bail for Abdul Malik in 2024 Haldwani Riots Case

• The Supreme Court upheld the Uttarakhand High Court's order granting bail to Abdul Malik, the prime accused in the 2024 Haldwani riots case.
• The court questioned how UAPA can be attracted when a mob throws petrol bombs at a police station, highlighting the complexities of applying this law.
• The Supreme Court emphasized that liberty does not depend on the accuracy of a court's order but rather on the prosecution's case.

Liberty does not depend on inaccuracy of a court. It depends on the prosecution case

The Supreme Court has reaffirmed its stance on bail in cases involving large-scale rioting and arson, upholding the Uttarakhand High Court's order granting bail to Abdul Malik, the prime accused in the 2024 Haldwani riots case. This decision comes after a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana reviewed the state's counsel's arguments on UAPA applicability. The court questioned how UAPA could be attracted when a mob throws petrol bombs at a police station, highlighting the complexities of applying this law in such cases. The bench emphasized that liberty does not depend on the accuracy of a court's order but rather on the prosecution's case.

The Supreme Court's decision to uphold the bail order has sparked debate over the applicability of UAPA in cases involving large-scale rioting and arson. The court's questioning of how UAPA can be attracted when a mob throws petrol bombs at a police station underscores the challenges of applying this law. In such cases, the pace of investigation cannot be termed lethargic, as emphasized by the Supreme Court. The bench noted that statements of 65 witnesses had been recorded within the relevant period, highlighting the scale and complexity of the case.

The Supreme Court's decision to uphold the bail order has significant implications for future cases involving large-scale rioting and arson. Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of the court's stance on UAPA applicability in such cases, as this ruling may impact their clients' bail applications or investigations. The case highlights the importance of understanding the complexities of applying UAPA in cases involving widespread violence and multiple accused.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of the Supreme Court's stance on UAPA applicability in cases involving large-scale rioting, arson, and damage to public property. This ruling may impact their clients' bail applications or investigations in similar cases.

Source: Original reporting via [Source]