SAMIUDDIN Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellant/accused No.2 prays for condonation of delay of 390 days in filing the Criminal Appeals against the orders dtd. 27/2/2023 passed by the IV Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge-cum-Special Court for NIA Cases, Nampally, at Hyderabad, in Crl.M.P.No.240 of 2023 in Spl.S.C.No.3 of 2023 (RC-01/2023 of NIA) and Crl.M.P.No.252 of 2023 in Crl.M.P.No.166 of 2023 in Spl.S.C.No.3 of 2023 (RC01/2023 of NIA) respectively.

(2.) The petition filed by the Investigating Officer (ACP), Special Investigation Team, under Ss. 18, 18(B) and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, was allowed by the impugned order dtd. 27/2/2023 extending the judicial remand of the accused Nos.1 to 3 up to 180 days. The Investigating Agency was directed to take appropriate steps to complete the investigation within the period of 180 days. The Special Court for NIA Cases dismissed the petition filed by the accused Nos.1 to 3 for default bail under Sec. 167(2) of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

(3.) The immediate question before this Court is whether the Appeals filed against the impugned orders can be allowed after the expiry of the statutory period stipulated under Sec. 21 of The National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (NIA Act).