UAPA case against PFI members | SC to hear NIA plea against bail for eight accused on Oct 30

In its plea, the NIA has claimed PFI is a fundamentalist Islamic organisation and it was formed only to establish Muslim rule in India governed by sharia.

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear on October 30 a plea by the NIA challenging the Madras High Court order granting bail to eight accused in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against the alleged office bearers, members and cadres of Popular Front of India (PFI).

In its plea, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has claimed PFI is a fundamentalist Islamic organisation and it was formed only to establish Muslim rule in India governed by sharia.

The plea was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sudhanshu Dhulia and Manoj Misra.

Advocate Rajat Nair, appearing for NIA, urged the top court to list the matter for hearing during the day, saying the High Court had granted bail to the eight accused on Thursday.

"Somebody has got bail. What is the hurry?" the Bench asked him.

When Mr. Nair said the special leave petition (SLP) was prepared overnight to challenge the High Court order and requested the court to pass suitable direction, the Bench fixed the petition for hearing on October 30.

"The petitioner, Union of India (NIA) is constrained to file the present special leave petition against the final order and judgment passed by the High Court of judicature at Madras… whereby, the High Court in a serious offence registered against the PFI members under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, was pleased to grant bail…," the plea said.