The HC granted bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 1 lakh, along with sureties of the same amount. It also directed the appellant to report to the ATS office and inform the latest place of residence and contact details and attend trial court from time to time.
The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted bail to an alleged LeT operative who was booked by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for allegedly carrying out recce of security establishments in Nashik in 2010.
A bench of Justices Ajey S Gadkari and Ranjitsinha R Bhonsale passed an order on an appeal by Shaikh Lalbaba Mohammed Hussain alias Bilal, who was arrested by the ATS in Nashik under provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Explosive Substances Act and Passport Act.
Advocates T W Pathan and I A Khan, representing the appellant, sought bail on the grounds of prolonged incarceration of over a decade pending trial. He also sought bail on the ground of parity, stating that the high court last year granted bail to Mirza Himayat Baig in the Nashik terror plot case. Bilal challenged the December 2024 order of a Nashik sessions judge who rejected his bail plea.
According to the ATS, Bilal had conducted a recce of three security establishments—Nashik Police Academy, Nashik Police Commissionerate and Army camp at Deolali— in 2010. The ATS claimed that Bilal was recruited by Mirza Himayat Baig, the alleged head of the Maharashtra LeT module, who was also booked and arrested in Pune in connection with the Pune German Bakery blast that left 17 people dead and 56 injured. Police also claimed that the appellant had visited LeT camps in Pakistan between January 2008 and 2010 for advanced training on making bombs and use of sophisticated weapons.
Opposing his bail plea, the ATS Pune stated in its affidavit that during the course of investigation, it was revealed that the appellant had played a key role in commission of crime and since the offences against him were “serious,” he cannot be released on bail.
“The appellant accused was an active member of banned organization of Lashkar-E-Taiba. The trial is in progress and at a crucial stage. Ground mentioned by the appellant in the present appeal are not sufficient to release the appellant on bail as there is sufficient evidence…to prove his involvement in the crime, therefore same deserves to be dismissed,” the investigating agency said.
The HC granted bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 1 lakh, along with sureties of the same amount. It also directed the appellant to report to the ATS office and inform the latest place of residence and contact details and attend trial court from time to time. The court also said that appellant shall not tamper with evidence or attempt to influence or contact complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case.
Omkar Gokhale is a journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates exceptionally strong Expertise and Authority in legal and judicial reporting, making him a highly Trustworthy source for developments concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in relation to Maharashtra and its key institutions.
Expertise & Authority
Affiliation: Reports for The Indian Express, a national newspaper known for its rigorous journalistic standards, lending significant Trustworthiness to his legal coverage.
Core Authority & Specialization: Omkar Gokhale's work is almost exclusively dedicated to the complex field of legal affairs and jurisprudence, specializing in:
Bombay High Court Coverage: He provides detailed, real-time reports on the orders, observations, and decisions of the Bombay High Court's principal and regional benches. Key subjects include:
Fundamental Rights & Environment: Cases on air pollution, the right to life of residents affected by dumping sites, and judicial intervention on critical infrastructure (e.g., Ghodbunder Road potholes).
Civil & Criminal Law: Reporting on significant bail orders (e.g., Elgaar Parishad case), compensation for rail-related deaths, and disputes involving high-profile individuals (e.g., Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty).
Constitutional and Supreme Court Matters: Reports and analysis on key legal principles and Supreme Court warnings concerning Maharashtra, such as those related to local body elections, reservations, and the creamy layer verdict.
Governance and Institution Oversight: Covers court rulings impacting public bodies like the BMC (regularisation of illegal structures) and the State Election Commission (postponement of polls), showcasing a focus on judicial accountability.
Legal Interpretation: Reports on public speeches and observations by prominent judicial figures (e.g., former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai) on topics like free speech, gender equality, and institutional challenges.
Omkar Gokhale's consistent, focused reporting on the judiciary establishes him as a definitive and authoritative voice for legal developments originating from Mumbai and impacting the entire state of Maharashtra. ... Read More
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