Nainital: The Uttarakhand High Court has granted bail to two Muslim youths, Muhammad Nizam and Muhammad Shariq Siddiqui, who had been in prison for more than 18 months in connection with the Banbhulpura riots that took place in Haldwani on 8 February 2024.
The division bench of Justice Pankaj Prohat and Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari delivered the order after hearing appeals filed by their counsel, Advocates Vikas Kumar Gilani and Saeed Ahmed.
The two men were earlier denied bail by the Sessions Court in September 2024. They were charged under several sections, including rioting, arson, stone-pelting, attacking police personnel, possession of illegal weapons, and use of petrol bombs. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was also invoked.
While granting bail, the High Court observed that there was no direct evidence linking the accused to the alleged crimes. The court noted that the prosecution had failed to prove their identity through CCTV footage or other concrete proof. It further stated that since both had already spent more than one and a half years in custody, they were entitled to bail.
The trial will continue, and the court clarified that the bail order will not affect the final outcome.
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind coordinated the legal strategy at both central and local levels.
