Jammu, September 1: The Special NIA Court in Jammu has denied bail to Tanveer Ahmed Malik, an accused terror associate in the high-profile Kishtwar arms theft case from 2019.
This case is linked to NIA Case No. RC 08/2019/NIA/JMU. In March 2019, armed terrorists from Hizbul Mujahideen stole an AK-47 rifle, three magazines, and 90 live cartridges from the escort in charge of the Deputy Commissioner in Kishtwar. This incident raised significant concerns regarding security in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Tanveer Ahmed Malik hails from Tantna in Doda district. According to the investigation agency, he acted as an Over Ground Worker (OGW) for the terrorists. He is accused of providing continuous assistance to active terrorists from Hizbul Mujahideen between June 2019 and January 2020.
The NIA claims that Malik aided known terrorists, including Haroon Abbas Wani and Tahir Ahmed Bhat. He allegedly sheltered these terrorists in his home, arranged food, and provided other logistical support, enabling them to evade security forces while conducting their activities.
During the bail hearing, Malik’s lawyer cited delays in the trial as a reason for bail. However, the court rejected this argument. The court noted that the prosecution has listed a total of 101 witnesses in the case, with interrogations of 30 witnesses already completed.
The special judge remarked that in serious terrorism cases, mere delays in the trial cannot be grounds for bail. It is crucial to consider national security and the broader interests of society in such matters.
The court also commented that releasing the accused at this stage could lead to witness tampering and the potential influencing of evidence. Therefore, granting bail to the accused would not be appropriate.
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