Special court rejects tailor’s bail plea in terror case

MUMBAI: Observing that prima facie there was evidence to show participation, a special court on Friday rejected the bail plea of a tailor, Irfan Shaikh (50) arrested in October 2021 on charges of conspiracy and harbouring an accused. “The offence is very serious. In view of seriousness of crime and participation of applicant, he is not entitled to bail,” the court said.
On September 17, ATS registered an FIR against Shaikh and his alleged foreign handler Anthony alias Anas alias Anwar alias Annu under Section 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for criminal conspiracy to commit a terrorist act. Shaikh was accused of harbouring alleged terror suspect Zakir Shaikh and helping his brother Sagir.
The court said that it was not disputed that Shaikh had given shelter to coaccused at his home. It said that it had come on record that co-accused Zakir was indulging in terrorist activities with a person from a neighbouring country and that Shaikh had sent documents of Zakir to Sagir and received money for a terrorist act on his behalf. The court said that Zakir was arrested from Shaikh’s house. “The applicant (Shaikh) has arranged railway ticket for the accused Zakir to go to Kanpur. Considering the material prima facie there is participation of applicant,” the court said.
The defence advocate for the accused said there was no material connecting Shaikh with Zakir or had he had knowledge about his activities. It was submitted that neither had Shaikh indulged in terrorism nor there was nothing on record about where and what terror act was to be done. “The applicant is falsely implicated in the crime. He is innocent,” . the defence said.