Supreme Court Dismisses NIA's Request to Revoke PFI Members' Bail in RSS Leader Murder Case
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Synopsis
The Supreme Court has rejected the NIA's plea to revoke bail for several PFI members involved in the murder of RSS leader Srinivasan. The court directed the NIA to approach a special court or the Kerala High Court for further action regarding bail violations.
Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court did not accept NIA's plea to cancel PFI members' bail.
- The court advised the NIA to seek remedy from a special court or the Kerala High Court.
- Conditional bail was granted previously, with specific restrictions.
- Shihab, a key accused, has been apprehended by NIA.
- A total of 69 individuals are identified in the conspiracy.
New Delhi, April 16 (NationPress) The Supreme Court on Wednesday chose not to entertain a request from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) aiming to revoke the bail of various members of the Popular Front of India (PFI) implicated in the assassination of RSS leader Srinivasan in Kerala in April 2022.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and N.K. Singh instructed the NIA to seek relief through the appropriate special court or the Kerala High Court after the anti-terror agency argued that the accused had attempted to sway witnesses and breached other bail stipulations.
Previously, the Kerala High Court had granted conditional bail to the accused in June of the prior year, which included stipulations such as not leaving the state without the special court's approval and surrendering their passports.
"If any of these (bail) conditions or any others imposed by the special court are violated, it will be permissible for the prosecution to pursue the cancellation of bail granted to the appellants before the special court, without further reference to this court," the high court had stated.
In April 2022, the NIA apprehended the absconding accused Shihab, also known as Babu, a significant figure within the PFI, who played a crucial role in orchestrating the murder of Srinivasan.
Shihab had been evading capture since the crime was committed.
The anti-terror agency asserted that Shihab, aligned with a conspiracy devised by PFI leaders, sheltered Muhammed Hakeem, who was allegedly tasked by PFI leadership with the destruction of vital evidence in the case. On March 17, 2023, the agency had filed a charge sheet against a total of 59 defendants in this matter. Following this, the NIA's absconder tracking team made a significant breakthrough by capturing Saheer K.V., who had been on the run for an extended period. The NIA reported that, up to now, 69 individuals have been identified as part of the conspiracy.
