Delhi High Court Cites Prolonged Detention as Key Ground for Release in Terror Plot Case

NEW DELHI — Citing prolonged incarceration and the unlikely prospect of an early conclusion to the trial, the Delhi High Court has granted bail to two individuals accused by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of conspiring to carry out terrorist activities across India.

A bench presided over by Justice Navin Chawla ordered the release of the accused, identified as Sobia Aziz and Kamran Ashraf Reshi, who have been behind bars for nearly five years. The court granted relief upon execution of a personal bond of ₹2 lakh each, along with two sureties of the same amount.

Setting strict terms for their release, the court barred both individuals from leaving the country without prior judicial permission. They have also been directed to cooperate fully with ongoing proceedings and appear before the trial court on every scheduled date.

In an explicit condition reflecting modern communication concerns, the bench strictly prohibited the duo from joining or participating in any WhatsApp groups associated with anti-national activities or involved in circulating provocative content.

Aziz and Reshi moved the High Court after their bail applications were rejected by the Patiala House trial court earlier this year—Reshi’s plea was dismissed on March 17, followed by Aziz’s on May 14.

The Case Background

The central counter-terrorism agency registered an FIR on October 10, 2021, alleging a widespread conspiracy by Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits to disturb peace in Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, and other key Indian cities.

Following intelligence inputs, the NIA arrested Kamran Ashraf Reshi on October 20, 2021, and Sobia Aziz two days later on October 22. According to the prosecution, operatives from banned groups—including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen—were coordinating with Pakistan-based handlers to recruit local youth, train them in firearms and explosives, and execute coordinated strikes via digital communication channels.

The accused face charges under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)—including Sections 120B (Criminal Conspiracy), 121A (Conspiracy to wage war against India), 122, and 123—alongside stringent sections 18, 18A, 20, 38, and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

However, with the trial showing no immediate signs of completion, the High Court emphasized that prolonged custody without trial infringed upon constitutional safeguards, paving the way for their conditional release.