'The accused cannot be allowed to rot in jail without a proper trial', Supreme Court orders early settlement of the case:

News Topical, Digital Desk : The Supreme Court has said in a UAPA case that an accused cannot be allowed to languish in jail without a fair and speedy trial.

More than 100 witnesses will be examined

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and KV Vishwanathan directed the trial court to expedite the trial and conclude it within two years as over 100 witnesses are to be examined by the prosecution.

The apex court pronounced its verdict on two appeals against the April 2022 order of the Karnataka High Court, which had granted bail to one of the accused but denied the relief to the other co-accused. While the Centre's appeal challenged the grant of bail.

FIR was registered against 17 accused

The second appeal was filed by the co-accused who was denied the relief. An FIR was filed in January 2020 in Bengaluru against 17 accused, which included charges under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).

The case was later handed over to the NIA and a chargesheet was filed in July 2020. "However, the fact remains that the trial has not commenced even though a period of five years and six months has elapsed. The accused cannot be allowed to languish in jail without a proper and speedy trial," the bench said.