The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a response from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on a bail petition filed by Allahrakha Abu Bakar Manoori, who has been incarcerated for seven years in connection with an alleged terror conspiracy case.
A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh issued notice to the NIA, asking the agency to respond to Manoori’s plea seeking bail on the grounds of prolonged imprisonment without conclusion of trial.
Manoori was earlier denied bail by the Bombay High Court on March 28, which cited the gravity of the charges against him. The high court noted that Manoori was accused of attempting to aid individuals trained in Pakistan to carry out terrorist attacks, including bomb blasts, by allegedly providing them with vehicles and arms.
“The allegations pertain to acts which are a threat to the security of the country. The gravity of the offence cannot be overlooked,” the high court had stated. It further observed that if convicted, Manoori could face a life sentence.
While refusing bail, the high court also took into account that the trial had already seen substantial progress and the prosecution intended to complete it by the end of the year.
The Supreme Court’s intervention now brings fresh scrutiny to the issue of prolonged pre-trial detention, particularly in serious cases involving national security.
The matter will be taken up again after the NIA files its reply.
