The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed a Delhi special court to complete within one year the trial of a case concerning the alleged online radicalisation of youth by terrorist networks, including ISIS.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana issued the directive while disposing of a petition by accused Md Heydaitullah. The top court instructed the trial court to finish recording the testimony of key and protected witnesses within six months and authorized daily hearings if needed to keep the case moving forward.
Defense Cites Extended Custody as NIA Details Charges
Heydaitullah approached the apex court after the Delhi High Court rejected his bail plea in January 2025. He was arrested by the National Investigation Agency in October 2022 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and provisions of the Indian Penal Code, following an initial police report registered in 2021. Legal counsel representing the petitioner informed the bench that Heydaitullah has remained in custody for approximately four years.
Appearing for the prosecution, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati stated that formal charges have been established against eight individuals out of 12 named in the case, with four remaining at large. She added that 14 protected witnesses are scheduled to testify in the special court proceedings.
Extremist Allegations and Investigative Findings
The prosecution alleges that Heydaitullah used digital platforms to distribute propaganda on behalf of ISIS and transferred funds from his personal account to assist the terrorist organization. Investigators also claim to have recovered incriminating digital evidence from electronic devices seized during his arrest.
In its earlier ruling denying bail, the Delhi High Court noted that the accused took an oath of allegiance in 2018 to former ISIS leaders Abu Bakr al Baghdadi and Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi. Prosecutors further alleged that Heydaitullah published social media posts intended to incite hostility against Hindus in an effort to foster animosity toward the Indian government.
