Supreme Court ruling on bail in UAPA case: relief for Saleem Khan, custody for Mohd. Zaid.
SC UPHOLDS BAIL TO SALEEM KHAN, DENIES TO MOHD. ZAID UNDER UAPA CASE
CASE SUMMARY – The Supreme Court in Union of India vs. Saleem Khan & Mohd. Zaid (2025) addressed appeals against Karnataka High Court’s bail orders under UAPA. FIR in 2020 implicated both in alleged terror links. The High Court granted bail to Saleem Khan, finding his association with Al-Hind (not a banned group) insufficient for UAPA charges, while refusing bail to Zaid due to his links with banned outfits and dark web activities. The Supreme Court upheld this distinction, emphasizing prolonged custody without trial for Khan but justifying denial for Zaid. It directed the trial court to conclude proceedings within two years.
| ASPECTS | DETAILS |
| Case Title | Union of India vs. Saleem Khan & Mohd. Zaid (2025 INSC 1008) |
| Introduction | Appeals against Karnataka High Court’s order granting bail to Saleem Khan but rejecting bail of Mohd. Zaid under UAPA & IPC charges. |
| Factual Background | FIR registered in 2020 under IPC, Arms Act & UAPA against 17 accused. NIA took over probe. Saleem Khan (Accused 11) & Mohd. Zaid (Accused 20) charged. Both sought bail; Trial Court rejected; HC granted bail to Khan but refused to Zaid. |
| Legal Issues | Whether HC rightly granted bail to Saleem Khan and rejected bail to Mohd. Zaid despite charges under UAPA. |
| Applicable Law |
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| Analysis | SC held that HC rightly noted Al-Hind group linked to Khan is not banned; prolonged custody without trial justifies bail. For Zaid, strong links with banned terrorist organizations & dark web operations justify denial of bail. |
| Conclusion | SC upheld HC order: bail continued for Saleem Khan; no bail for Mohd. Zaid. Directed trial to conclude within 2 years. |
| Current Scenario | Trial pending for over 5.5 years; SC ordered speedy trial with liberty to cancel Khan’s bail if he delays proceedings. |
“Accused cannot be allowed to languish in jail without being given a fair and speedy trial.”
SOURCE – SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
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