New Delhi: In a major setback to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a Jammu court granted default bail to two men accused of funding the Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to the Pahalgam terror attack. Srinagar resident Yasir Hayat secured bail on Thursday, followed by Handwara resident Shafat Wani on Saturday, after the NIA failed to file a chargesheet within the 90-day legal limit.
Both men were arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)—Hayat by the NIA on May 23 and Wani earlier by J&K Police on April 8—on allegations of channeling funds to the banned group and promoting its ideology. The TRF had claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack in April before retracting the claim amid public backlash.
The court criticized the NIA for its slow investigation, noting that critical steps—such as calling airline travel records—were only initiated after over 110 days of custody. The judge rejected the agency’s plea for further detention, citing repetitive and vague justifications.
As part of bail conditions, Hayat must inform authorities of his mobile device’s IMEI number and is barred from using encrypted communication platforms.
Special NIA Judge Sandeep Gandotra underscored the legal mandate: “If the investigation isn’t completed within 90 days, the accused are entitled to bail, irrespective of the charges’ gravity.”
The development raises questions about the pace and effectiveness of anti-terror financing investigations in India.
