GS-2News & Analysis22 May 2026thehindu.com

Supreme Court grants bail to J&K man booked under UAPA after five years in custody as undertrial

The Supreme Court granted bail to a Jammu and Kashmir man, Suhail Ahmad Thokar, accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after he spent five years as an undertrial. The court emphasized the right to speedy trial and personal liberty, reiterating that 'bail is the rule and jail is the exception' even in UAPA cases, a stance that contrasts with previous judgments. The case involved allegations of 'hybrid terrorism' and cross-border conspiracy following the abrogation of Article 370.

The Supreme Court granted bail to a Jammu and Kashmir man, Suhail Ahmad Thokar, accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after he spent five years as an undertrial. The court emphasized the right to speedy trial and personal liberty, reiterating that 'bail is the rule and jail is the exception' even in UAPA cases, a stance that contrasts with previous judgments. The case involved allegations of 'hybrid terrorism' and cross-border conspiracy following the abrogation of Article 370.

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GS Paper II: Indian Constitution—Fundamental Rights, Judiciary; Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation; Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-judicial Bodies.

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