The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Mohammed Iqbal Ibrahim Khan, an accused in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court ruled that witness statements against him did not establish the charges and that the trial would not conclude soon.

A Bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale passed the order last week. The court observed that there was hardly any material submitted by the prosecution to point to Khan’s involvement in the alleged offences.

The Bench termed the witness statements recorded by the police as “innocuous”. The court noted that these statements only indicated Khan’s membership in the Popular Front of India (PFI). However, they did not make out any of the offences charged against him.

The prosecution had opposed the bail plea. It argued that Khan was an active member of the PFI. According to the prosecution, Khan and other accused held meetings across Mumbai between February and June 2022. They had allegedly conspired to revolt against the Government of India.

The prosecution also relied on videos found on Khan’s mobile phone. One of the videos showed how to make petrol bombs. The court addressed this point in its order. It noted that the video was on Khan’s phone. However, the court pointed out that Khan had not forwarded the clip to anyone else. He had also not instigated any person to use the technique.

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested Khan in September 2022. He is currently in judicial custody. He was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the UAPA.

The High Court also noted the progress of the trial. Charges in the case were framed in March this year. The court observed that no witnesses have been examined so far.

The prosecution intends to examine at least 90 witnesses. “Thus, it is quite clear that the trial is not likely to get over within a reasonable time in the future,” the court said in its order. This factor also weighed in Khan’s favour for the grant of bail.

The court concluded that Khan deserved to be released on bail, as the trial is unlikely to get over soon.