October 14: Sheikh Adil Mushtaq, a suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) in Jammu and Kashmir who was arrested last month on charges of corruption and extortion, was granted interim bail by the Special Anti-Corruption Court in Srinagar on Saturday.
Special Judge Surinder Singh, presiding over the Anti-Corruption Court, granted interim bail to Sheikh Adil Mushtaq, who has been under detention since September 21, when he was taken into custody amid allegations of receiving money to drop charges in a “terror funding case” and attempting to implicate a police officer who was investigating a terror operative.
Following his arrest, a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to probe the case. In light of the accusations against him, Sheikh Adil was suspended by the government of Jammu and Kashmir.
The court observed, “Although the prosecution expressed concerns that the applicant/accused, being a highly placed officer, might intimidate or win over witnesses and influence them, this court believes that interim bail cannot be denied to the applicant solely on this basis, as the investigation in the case is nearly complete.”
The court further stated that if such an event transpires, the prosecution has the option to approach the appropriate court to seek bail cancellation. Moreover, it noted that the applicant, a suspended police officer with no official authority, could be ordered not to interfere with the proceedings against him.
The court emphasized that keeping the accused in custody for an extended period would not serve the prosecution’s purpose, as it is the responsibility of the prosecution to investigate, establish the demand and acceptance of the bribe money, and effect its recovery.
The Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court concluded that there would be no risk of obstructing justice if the applicant is granted bail.
Consequently, the court granted interim bail to the applicant/accused, conditional on providing two surety bonds worth Rs. 50,000 each, along with a personal bond of the same amount. The order also outlined specific conditions that the accused must adhere to during his interim release.
As part of the conditions, the accused was instructed not to directly or indirectly induce, threaten, or make promises to anyone familiar with the case to dissuade them from disclosing relevant facts before the court or any other authority.
The court further directed the accused to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and present himself before the investigating officer whenever summoned.
Additionally, Sheikh Adil Mushtaq was required to deposit his passport and travel documents with the investigating officer until the investigation is completed to prevent the risk of absconding.
Furthermore, the court stipulated that the accused should not leave the Kashmir Valley without prior permission from the investigating officer or the court. It warned that if any of these conditions were violated, the investigating officer could seek the cancellation of the granted bail before the competent court.