Jammu, September 2: The Special NIA Court in Jammu has denied bail to Tanveer Ahmed Malik, an accused terrorist associate, in the high-profile Kishtwar arms theft case from 2019. This case is linked to NIA case number RC 08/2019/NIA/JMU, involving an incident in March 2019 where 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 of Kishtwar. The incident raised serious concerns about security arrangements across Jammu and Kashmir and was subsequently handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further investigation.
Tanveer Ahmed Malik, a resident of Tantna in Doda district, is accused of working as an Over Ground Worker (OGW) for the terrorists. According to the investigation agency, he provided continuous assistance to active Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists from June 2019 to January 2020. The NIA claims that Malik aided terrorists including Haroon Abbas Wani and Tahir Ahmed Bhat by sheltering them in his home, arranging food, and providing logistical support, enabling them to evade security forces while continuing their activities.
During the hearing on the bail petition, Malik’s lawyer cited delays in the trial as a reason for granting bail, but 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 trial cannot be grounds for bail. It is essential 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 evidence interference, making it inappropriate to grant bail.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.