New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday made a strong remark while granting bail to a man accused under the stringent anti-terror law. In its verdict, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday that the legal principle "bail is the rule, jail is the exception" applies to all offences, including those registered under special laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Christ said it would be a violation of fundamental rights if courts start refusing bail in appropriate cases.

It is the duty of the court to consider the bail case

While delivering its verdict, the bench said, "The allegations of the prosecution may be very serious, but it is the duty of the court to consider the case for bail in accordance with the law. Bail is the rule and jail is the exception, this also applies to special laws. If the courts start denying bail in appropriate cases, it will violate the rights guaranteed under Article 21."

Jalaluddin Khan was booked under UAPA in the PFI case

The court gave this verdict while releasing on bail a man named Jalaluddin Khan. Khan was booked under stringent provisions of UAPA and other sections of the now defunct Indian Penal Code for renting the upper floor of his house to alleged members of the banned organisation Popular Front of India (PFI). 

According to the National Investigation Agency, the investigation has revealed that the criminal conspiracy was hatched with the intention of committing acts of terror and violence. This conspiracy created an atmosphere of terror and threatened the unity and integrity of the country.