JUDGMENT :

Gauri Godse, J.

1. Although the arguments were concluded and judgment was reserved on 13th December 2023, we listed the matter for further hearing on a praecipe moved by the learned Public Prosecutor as he wanted to address this Court on certain issues, including pointing out the latest decision of the Apex Court. Accordingly, we heard the learned counsels for the respective parties on 7th March 2024, 25th April 2024 and 2nd May 2024.

2. This appeal is preferred under Section 21 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (“NIA Act”) to challenge the order dated 18th January 2023 passed by learned Sessions Judge (MCOCA/POTA/TADA/NIA) and Additional Sessions Judge Greater Mumbai in NIA RA No. 946 of 2022 in Crime No. 19 of 2022, by which the court granted an extension of time of 15 days to file the chargesheet. By way of an amendment, the appellants have also challenged the order dated 20th January 2023, by which the learned Judge rejected the appellants’ application for grant of bail under Section 167 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (‘CrPC’).

3. By an order dated 18th January 2023, the Trial Court granted an extension of 15 days to the prosecution to file the