IMTIYAZ QADIR BHAT Vs. UNION TERRITORY OF J&K

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By way of this appeal under Sec. 21 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, the appellants challenge the validity of the order dtd. 31/1/2026, passed by the Court of Special Judge designated under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Baramulla at Sopore (hereinafter 'Special Court'). Vide the impugned order, the Special Court rejected the appellants' application for grant of bail in FIR Page 1 No. 208/2025 under Sec. 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (hereinafter 'the Act').

(2.) Appellants have assailed order impugned on the following grounds:

(3.) Respondent has filed its latest status report dtd. 28/4/2026. Apart from narrating the factual matrix, which we shall refer to later, the report states that the investigation is actively underway. It highlights that the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) opinion has been received regarding a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) containing a vast volume of extracted data from the seized electronic devices, which is currently undergoing thorough examination. Respondent asserts that a strong prima facie case exists against the appellants. It is submitted that the case diary contains substantial incriminating material, including witness statements, electronic evidence, and forensic reports, establishing the appellants' involvement. Consequently, it is contended Page 2 that the learned Special Court rightly rejected the appellants' bail application vide impugned order dtd. 31/1/2026.