Delhi HC Seeks Status Report on Abdul Subhan Qureshi’s Bail Plea in UAPA Case

The Delhi High Court has sought a status report from Delhi police on a plea filed by accused Abdul Subhan Qureshi seeking statutory bail in a UAPA case.

Delhi Police

As per Delhi police, he served as the editor of a publication at Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and was one of the co-founders of Indian Mujahideen (IM).

Qureshi sought bail on the grounds of having undergone a period of incarceration of 4 years and 10 months. He was arrested in June 2019 in connection with this case, amidst approximately 40 cases registered against him.

The Bench

A division bench comprising justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain issued notice to Delhi police and called for a status report on Abdul Subhan Qureshi’s petition.

The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on May 10, 2024.

Advocate

Advocate Prashant Prakash appeared for the petitioner, asserting that Qureshi has been in custody for the past 4 years and 10 months. The offences he is charged with carry a maximum punishment of five years. The petition faced opposition from the state prosecutor.

‘Osama Bin Laden of India’

Qureshi, alleged to be one of the co-founders of Indian Mujahideen and often referred to as the “Osama Bin Laden of India,” had his bail plea dismissed by the trial court in December 2023 due to the gravity of the offences and his prior conduct. He stands accused in a case filed in 2021 and was apprehended in this instance subsequent to his arrest in another case in 2018.

Charges against him include sections 153 A, 153B under IPC, and sections 10 and 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Qureshi’s affiliation with SIMI is noted, an organization banned by the Central Government in 2001.

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