Court rejects bail to accused in 2016 Nagrota Army camp terror attack case

04/08/2026

JAMMU, Aug 3: A Special NIA Court in Jammu has rejected the bail application of Syed Munir-ul-Hassan Qadri, an accused in the 2016 Nagrota Army camp terror attack case, holding that the seriousness of the allegations, the prima facie evidence on record and the possibility of influencing key witnesses did not warrant his release at this stage.
Special Judge, NIA Cases, Prem Sagar dismissed the bail application after hearing arguments from the defence and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The case pertains to the November 29, 2016 terror attack on an Army camp near Baleeni Bridge in Nagrota, in which seven Army personnel were killed and government property was damaged. According to the prosecution, the attack was carried out by three heavily armed Pakistani terrorists affiliated with the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit.
The case was initially registered at Police Station Nagrota under provisions of the Ranbir Penal Code, the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) before being taken over by the NIA, which filed its chargesheet in November 2018.
The court had framed charges against Qadri under Sections 120-B, 121 and 307 of the RPC, along with relevant provisions of the UAPA, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act and Foreigners Act.
According to the NIA, Qadri acted as a key conspirator and facilitator by remaining in contact with cross-border handlers and other accused persons. He allegedly arranged logistics, safe shelters, transportation, communication devices and facilitated the movement of arms and ammunition. The agency also alleged that he provided reconnaissance support and helped channel funds for terrorist activities. These allegations are yet to be established during trial.
The prosecution submitted that one of the co-accused, Tariq Ahmad Dar, had turned approver and implicated Qadri, while six prosecution witnesses had also deposed against him.
Seeking bail, Advocates Anil Sethi and Vipul Gupta argued that Qadri had remained in custody since April 23, 2018, and that the trial had been pending for nearly eight years. They contended that several key witnesses had not supported the prosecution's case and that no hotel employee had identified the accused or produced documentary evidence of his alleged stay. The defence also cited his family circumstances, stating that his wife and three children were dependent on him.
Opposing the plea, Senior Public Prosecutor R.S. Slathia, assisted by Public Prosecutors Chandan Kumar Singh and Ashwani Verma, submitted that the bar contained in Section 43D(5) of the UAPA applied as the accusations were prima facie true. The agency also expressed apprehension that the accused, if released, could influence witnesses, tamper with evidence or evade trial.
The court noted that 42 of the 104 prosecution witnesses had been examined and that several material witnesses were yet to testify. It observed that prolonged incarceration alone could not be a ground for bail in cases involving serious offences under special anti-terror laws.
Holding that the material on record prima facie indicated the accused's involvement in the alleged conspiracy and that his release could adversely affect the trial, the court rejected the bail application, citing the nature and gravity of the offences and the larger interest of the Union Territory.

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