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IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH
Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Smt. Anuradha Shukla, JJ.
Syed Mamoor Ali @ Mamoor Bhai v. Union of India
Criminal Appeal No. 5743 of 2024 (Jabalpur):
against the order dated 12.4.2024 passed in SC-NIA No. 2
of 2023; Decided on 6.1.2025
(1) Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 -- S. 43D(5) -- bail -- duty of Court -- to be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that accusation is prima facie true or otherwise -- by its very nature, expression “prima facie true” would mean that material/evidence collected by investigating agency to establish accusation must prevail until contradicted or disproved by other evidence, and on the face of it, shows complicity of accused in commission of alleged offence -- it must be sufficient on its face to establish given facts -- restriction on power of Court to grant bail is less stringent -- if Court, having regard to material brought before it, is satisfied that in all probability, accused may not be ultimately convicted, order granting bail may be passed -- further necessary on part of Court to see culpability of accused and his involvement in commission of organized crime either directly or indirectly -- Court shall consider whether he was possessed of the requisite mens rea -- Court must consider nature and manner in which accused is alleged to have committed offence -- although detailed reasons are not necessary, but order granting bail must demonstrate application of mind, at least in serious cases, as to why applicant has been granted or denied privilege of bail -- duty of Court at this stage is not to weigh evidence meticulously but to arrive at a finding on basis of broad probabilities -- Court should not conduct mini-trial to determine admissibility of certain evidence -- that would not only be beyond statutory mandate of prima facie assessment u/s. 43D(5), but will be premature and will possibly prejudice trial itself -- findings recorded by Court while granting or refusing bail undoubtedly would be tentative in nature, which may not have any bearing on merits of case -- trial Court would, thus, be free to decide case on basis of evidence adduced at trial, without being prejudiced thereby in any manner. (2019) 5 SCC 1, (2021) 3 SCC 713, (2022) 14 SCC 766, (2024) 5 SCC 403, (2024) 8 SCC 293, 2024 SCC Online SC 1945 and Criminal Appeal No. 5387 of 2024 decided on 17.12.2024 discussed. [Para 16
(2) Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 -- S. 43D(5) -- Constitution of India -- Part III -- bail -- liberty guaranteed by Part III of Constitution covers not only due procedure and fairness but also access to justice and speedy trial -- undertrials cannot indefinitely be detained in pending trial even in UAPA -- once it is obvious that timely trial would not be possible and accused has suffered incarceration for a significant period of time, Courts ordinarily obligated to enlarge them on bail -- presence of statutory restrictions like S. 43D(5) per se do not oust ability of constitutional Courts to grant bail on grounds of violation of Part III of Constitution -- at commencement of proceeding, Courts are expected to appreciate legislative policy against grant of bail but rigour of such provisions will melt down where there is no likelihood of trial being completed within reasonable time and period of incarceration already undergone has exceeded substantial part of prescribed sentence. (2019) 5 SCC 1, (2021) 3 SCC 713, (2022) 14 SCC 766, (2024) 5 SCC 403, (2024) 8 SCC 293, 2024 SCC Online SC 1945 and Criminal Appeal No. 5387 of 2024 decided on 17.12.2024 discussed. [Para 17
(3) Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 -- S. 43D(5) -- bail -- two conditions for granting bail -- first, if Court is satisfied that entire material collected by investigation agency does not constitute prima facie case against accused and investigation agency failed to show reasonable grounds for believing that accusation is prima facie true -- secondly, timely trial would not be possible and accused has suffered incarceration for significant period for substantial part of prescribed sentence, which amounts to violation of his fundamental rights. [Para 18
(4) Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 -- S. 43D(5) -- bail -- specific material to show that appellant advocated, abetted or incited commission of many unlawful activities -- he was active member of conspiracy by which accused persons were going to attack Ordnance Factory, Jabalpur -- sufficient material to show that there was conspiracy to commit terrorist act, to which appellant was party -- accused persons were not only supporting activities of terrorist organization but also wanted to stand their own organization with intention to ruin Constitution of India -- ground of physical handicap irrelevant because terrorism based upon religion arises from hateful thoughts towards other religions, which come from mind and is spread by mind; need of other physical assistance is secondary -- Court cannot express undue leniency to person facing serious charge of terrorism and unlawful activities -- there is every possibility of trial being completed in due course -- bail declined. (2021) 4 SCC 704, 2013 (1) Gau. LR 374 and 2013 (2) Gau. LR 791 referred to. [Paras 20 to 23
¼1½ fof/kfo:) fØ;kdyki ¼fuokj.k½ vf/kfu;e] 1967 && /kkjk 43?k¼5½ && tekur && U;k;ky; dk drZO; && ;g lek/kku djuk fd ;g fo'okl djus ds fy, ;qfä;qä vk/kkj gSa fd vfHk;ksx çFke–"Vîk lR; gS] ;k fQj vU;Fkk gS && vfHkO;fä ÞçFke–"Vîk lR;ß dh viuh ç—fr ls gh rkRif;rZ gS fd vUos"k.k vfHkdj.k }kjk vfHk;ksx LFkkfir djus ds fy, ,df=r lkexzh@lk{; vfHkHkkoh gksxk] tc rd fd vU; lk{; ls og [kafMr ;k uklkfcr ugha gks] rFkk mls ns[kus ls gh vfHkdfFkr vijk/k fd, tkus esa vfHk;qä dh lg&vijkf/krk nf'kZr gksrh gks && fn, x, rF;ksa dks ns[kus ls gh LFkkfir djus ds fy, i;kZIr gks && tekur eatwj djus dh U;k;ky; dh 'kfä ij fucaZ/ku de dM+k gS && ;fn mlds le{k ykbZ xbZ lkexzh ls U;k;ky; dk lek/kku gks tkrk gS fd tgk¡ rd vf/klaHkkO; gS] vfHk;qä dks varrksxRok fl)nks"k ugha Bgjk;k tk,xk] tekur eatwj djus dk vkns'k ikfjr fd;k tk ldrk gS && blds vfrfjä] U;k;ky; }kjk vfHk;qä dh nksf"krk vkSj laxfBr vijk/k djus esa mldh çR;{k ;k fQj vçR;{k fyIrrk ns[kh tkuk Hkh vko';d gS && U;k;ky; bl ij fopkj djsxk fd D;k mldh visf{kr vkijkf/kd eu%fLFkfr Fkh && U;k;ky; dks vfHk;qä }kjk fd, x, vfHkdfFkr vijk/k dh çÑfr vkSj jhfr dks Hkh ns[kuk gksxk && ;|fi foLr`r dkj.k vko';d ugha] rFkkfi tekur eatwj djus okys vkns'k ls] de&ls&de xaHkhj ekeyksa esa] bl ckjs esa euksfu;ksx çnf'kZr gksuk vko';d gS fd vkosnd dks tekur dk fo'ks"kkf/kdkj D;ksa fn;k x;k gS ;k ukeatwj fd;k x;k gS && bl çØe ij U;k;ky; dk drZO; lk{; dk lw{e ewY;kadu djuk ugha] vfirq eksVh&eksVh vf/klaHkkO;rkvksa ds vk/kkj ij fu"d"kZ ij igqapuk gS && U;k;ky; dks dfri; lk{; dh xzkárk vo/kkfjr djus ds fy, y?kq&fopkj.k ugha djuk pkfg, && ,slk /kkjk 43?k¼5½ ds v/khu çFke–"V~;k fu/kkZj.k dh dkuwuh vkKk ds ijs gh ugha gksxk] vfirq le;iwoZ gksxk vkSj laor% blls Lo;a fopkj.k gh çfrdwyr% çHkkfor gks tk,xk && tekur eatwj ;k ukeatwj djrs le; U;k;ky; }kjk vfHkfyf[kr fu"d"kZ fuLlansg laHkkfor ç—fr ds gksaxs] ftudk laHkor% ekeys ds xq.kkxq.k ij dksbZ çHkko ugha iM+sxk && bl çdkj fopkj.k U;k;ky; muls fdlh Hkh çdkj iwokZxzg ls xzLr gq, fcuk] fopkj.k esa is'k fd, x, lk{; ds vk/kkj ij çdj.k dk fofu'p;u djus ds fy, Lora= gksaxsA ¼2019½ 5 ,llhlh 1] ¼2021½ 3 ,llhlh 713] ¼2022½ 14 ,llhlh 766] ¼2024½ 5 ,llhlh 403] ¼2024½ 8 ,llhlh 293] 2024 ,llhlh v‚uykbu ,llh 1945 rFkk nkafMd vihy Ø- 5387 lu~ 2024 fu.khZr fnukad 17-12-2024 foosfprA ¼iSjk 16
¼2½ fof/kfo:) fØ;kdyki ¼fuokj.k½ vf/kfu;e] 1967 && /kkjk 43?k¼5½ && Hkkjr dk lafo/kku && Hkkx 3 && tekur && lafo/kku ds Hkkx 3 }kjk çR;kHkwr Lora=rk ls lE;d~ çfØ;k vkSj _tqrk gh ugha] vfirq U;k; vkSj Rofjr fopkj.k rd igq¡p Hkh vkPNkfnr gS && fof/kfo:) fØ;kdyki ¼fuokj.k½ vf/kfu;e esa Hkh] fopkj.kk/khu O;fä;ksa dks yafcr fopkj.k esa vfuf'pr dky rd fu:) ugha fd;k tk ldrk && ,d ckj Li"V gks tk, fd le; ls fopkj.k laHko ugha gksxk vkSj vfHk;qä lkjoku dkykof/k dk dkjkokl Hkksx pqdk gS] rks lkekU;r% U;k;ky; mUgsa tekur ij NksM+us ds fy, ck/; gksrs gSa && /kkjk 43?k¼5½ tSls dkuwuh fucaZ/kuksa dh fo|ekurk ls lafo/kku ds Hkkx 3 ds vfrØe.k ds vk/kkjksa ij tekur eatwj djus dk lkafo/kkfud U;k;ky;ksa dk lkeF;Z Loeso fNu ugha tkrk && dk;Zokgh ds vkjaHk esa] U;k;ky;ksa }kjk tekur dh eatwjh ds fo:) fo/kk;h uhfr dks eku fn;k tkuk çR;kf'kr gS ijarq tg‚a fopkj.k ;qfä;qä le; ds Hkhrj iw.kZ fd, tkus dh dksbZ laHkkouk ugha gks vkSj igys gh Hkksxh tk pqdh dkjkokl dh vof/k fofgr naMkns'k ds lkjoku~ Hkkx ls vf/kd gks pqdh gks] og‚a ,sls mica/kksa dh dBksjrk uje iM+ tk,xhA ¼2019½ 5 ,llhlh 1] ¼2021½ 3 ,llhlh 713] ¼2022½ 14 ,llhlh 766] ¼2024½ 5 ,llhlh 403] ¼2024½ 8 ,llhlh 293] 2024 ,llhlh v‚uykbu ,llh 1945 rFkk nkafMd vihy Ø- 5387 lu~ 2024 fu.khr fnukad 17-12-2024 foosfprA ¼iSjk 17
¼3½ fof/kfo:) fØ;kdyki ¼fuokj.k½ vf/kfu;e] 1967 && /kkjk 43?k¼5½ && tekur && tekur eatwj djus ds fy, nks 'krsZa && çFke] ;fn U;k;ky; dk lekèkku gks tk, fd vUos"k.k vfHkdj.k }kjk ,df=r laiw.kZ lkexzh ls vfHk;qä ds fo:) çFke–"Vîk ekeyk xfBr ugha gksrk rFkk vUos"k.k vfHkdj.k ;g n'kkZus esa vlQy jgk fd ;g fo'okl djus ds fy, ;qfä;qä vk/kkj gSa fd vfHk;ksx çFken`"V;k lR; gS && f}rh;r%- le; ls fopkj.k laHko ugha gksxk vkSj vfHk;qä fofgr naMkns'k ds lkjoku Hkkx dh rkfRod vof/k ds fy, dkjkokl igys gh Hkksx pqdk gS- tks mlds ewy vh/kdkjksa ds vfrØe.k dh dksfV esa vkrk gSA ¼iSjk 18
¼4½ fof/kfo:) fØ;kdyki ¼fuokj.k½ vf/kfu;e] 1967 && /kkjk 43?k¼5½ && tekur && ;g n'kkZus ds fy, fofufnZ"V lkexzh fd vihykFkhZ us vusd fofèkfo:) fØ;kdykiksa dk i{k leFkZu] nq"çsj.k ;k míhiu fd;k && og ml "kMîa= dk lfØ; lnL; Fkk ftlds }kjk vfHk;qä O;fä v‚MZusUl dkj[kkuk] tcyiqj ij geyk djus okys Fks && ;g n'kkZus ds fy, i;kZIr lkexzh fd vkradoknh dk;Z djus dk "kMîa= Fkk] ftlesa vihykFkhZ i{kdkj Fkk && vfHk;qä O;fä vkradoknh laxBu ds fØ;kdykiksa dk leFkZu gh ugha dj jgs Fks] vfirq Hkkjr dk lafo/kku u"V djus ds vk'k; ls Lo;a dk laxBu Hkh [kM+k djuk pkgrs Fks && 'kkjhfjd fodykaxrk dk vk/kkj vlaxr D;ksafd /keZ ij vk/kkfjr vkradokn vU; /keksZa ds çfr ?k`.kkLin fopkjksa ls mn~Hkwr gksrk gS] tks eu ls vkrs gSa vkSj mudk çlkj eu ls gksrk gS] vU; 'kkjhfjd lgk;rk dh vko';drk f}rh;d gS && vkradokn vkSj fof/kfo:) fØ;kdykiksa ds xaHkhj vkjksi dk lkeuk djus okys O;fä ds çfr U;k;ky; vlE;d~ mnkjrk ugha n'kkZ ldrk && fopkj.k lE;d~ le; esa iw.kZ gksus dh iwjh laHkkouk gS && tekur ukeatwjA ¼2021½ 4 ,llhlh 704] 2013 ¼1½ xqokgkVh ,yvkj 374 rFkk 2013 ¼2½ xqokgkVh ,yvkj 791 fufnZ"VA ¼iSjk 20 ls 23
JUDGMENT
Dharmadhikari, J. -- 1. The instant Criminal Appeal under section 21(4) of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (hereinafter referred as Act 2008) has been filed on behalf of the appellant against the order dated 12.4.2024 passed in SC NIA No.02 of 2023; whereby the application filed by the appellant for grant of bail, has been rejected.
2. The appellant has been arrested on 26.5.2023 relating to FIR/Crime No.RC-14/2023/NIA/DLI registered at Police Station NIA, Delhi, regarding commission of offence punishable under sections 120-B, 153-A, 153-B, 295-A of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter referred as IPC) and sections 13, 17, 18, 20, 38, 39 and 40 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (hereinafter referred as UAPA).
3. Prosecution story in brief is that in compliance of the order of Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, dated 24.5.2023, the National Investigation Agency registered a case bearing No. RC14/2023/NIA/DLI dated 24.5.2023 under sections 120-B, 295-A of the IPC and sections 16, 17, 18, 18(B), 20 of UAPA against present appellant i.e. Syed Mamoor Ali, co-accused Adil Khan and other unknown persons. The NIA took up the investigation wherein it was revealed that during nationwide lockdown in the year 2020, the accused persons started gaining knowledge about comparison of religion through watching the videos of Zakir Naik, an Islamic Preacher, reading Quran and Hadeeth.
(3.1) Further, investigation revealed that co-accused Mohd. Adil Khan got influenced by the thoughts of Zakir Naik and started gaining knowledge about basics of geopolitics (learnt about Syria @ Sham, Israel, America, Saudi Arabia, Khurasan etc.). He also expressed interest towards Jihad and started corroborating Jihad with Quran. He developed radicalized bent of mind and started believing that there must be Shariyat all over the world and no one should follow the man-made laws. The NIA found that the present appellant was also listening and watching Islamic lectures delivered by Islamic orators such as Zakir Naik, Syed Faiz, Dr. Israr Ahmad etc. and was also watching videos of Anwar-Al-Awlaki. He started searching about Jihad and corroborated the same with Quran for developing Jihadis ideology as he wanted to spread Sharia law all over the world.
(3.2) The investigation also revealed that the present appellant started giving Dawah to Hindus and started distribution of pamphlets related to Islam. Further, during the investigation, the NIA also found that other coaccused, namely, Shahid Khan and Kasif Khan were also involved in said unlawful activities. All the accused persons were watching Islamic lectures to provoke Jihad and implement Sharia law all over the world including India. All the accused persons became close friends and started discussing Quran and Hadeeth and Jihad too. They all started sharing radicalized thoughts with each other. They had a common mind of establishing Sharia law in India through violent means. They used to visit Falah Darain Masjid for offering Namaz, where they used to discuss Jihad through violent means and Khilafat based on Shariyat. They also prepared the pamphlets similar to the flags of ISIS and Al- Qaeda. They affixed one of the samples of pamphlets on the wall of nearby Ahle Hadees mosque in order to attract likeminded people, whom they can influence towards ideology of ISIS. The Investigation further shows that in the month of August, 2022, co-accused Kasif Khan created a whatsapp group namely “Pics” and added Mohd. Adil Khan, Shahid Khan and some other persons. After creating said group, coaccused Mohd. Adil khan started sharing videos, audios, photos, related to ISIS/Jihad/Shariyat in order to motivate the group members towards the ideology of ISIS. They also started sharing derogatory posts on Hindu deities. In the month of December, 2022, co-accused Kasif Khan added present appellant - Syed Mamoor Ali @ Mamoor Bhai, who changed the name of group as “Fisabillilah” and also changed th
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