Mangalore terror accused granted bail

Mangalore terror accused granted bail

Mangalore Today News Network

April 19: The Karnataka High Court granted bail to 22-year-old Javed Ali, who was arrested along with his father, Mohammed Ali (60), on terrorism charges at Ullal near Mangalore on October 3, 2008.

Mohammed Ali, however, continues to be in judicial custody and has not filed an application for bail yet.

One of the prime charges against Javed Ali is that he went to the coastal town of Bhatkal in 2006 with his father to participate in an Indian Mujahideen meeting called by the organisation’s alleged founder Riyaz Bhatkal. Javed’s counsel Byatha N. Jagadeesh argued that even if this were true, he was only a minor at the time of the alleged meeting.

The second allegation was that he gave shelter to Riyaz Bhatkal in his house in the Mukkacheri area of Ullal. Mr. Jagadeesh argued that even if this were true, the house was owned by his father and he could not be held responsible for such an act. To the charge that he was found to be in possession of banned literature published by a terrorist organisation, Mr. Jagadeesh quoted the recent Supreme Court judgement in the Binayak Sen case and said mere possession of literature does not make a person a member of the terrorist organisation.

To the fourth charge that Javed was a member of the Indian Mujahideen, Mr. Jagadeesh argued that a distinction must be made between an active member and a passive member.

Justice A.S. Pacchapure, who heard the bail plea, found merit in the arguments.

Courtesy- The Hindu