Liyaqat released on bail; CM welcomes, hopes for speedy investigation

Srinagar: A Delhi Court on Friday granted bail to Liyaqat Ali Shah saying the National investigating Agency NIA’s investigation “confirms’ that there is no substantial linkage regarding his involvement in the conspiracy to carry out attacks in New Delhi. 

Shah was arrested by Delhi Police on March 20 when he was returning home from Pakistan on charges of conspiring to carry out suicide attack in the national capital.
The arrest, however, triggered controversy after Jammu and Kashmir Police claimed that Shah had returned under its rehabilitation policy. The policy was devised by the Jammu and Kashmir Government for the youth who have gone across line of control and wanted to return.
District Judge IS Mehta who granted bail to Shah said, “No substantial evidence has come up against the present petitioner till date and the prosecution/NIA has failed to make out a prima facie case against the present petitioner/ accused till date.”
“I find it a case to release the present petitioner/ accused on bail. Accordingly, petitioner/accused is admitted to bail on his furnishing bail bond in the sum of Rs 20,000 with one surety of like amount with the conditions….” he added.
According to reports, the judge said, “The petitioner/accused shall not leave India without prior permission of this court. The petitioner/accused shall not change his address village Dardpura, PS Lalpora district Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir without prior permission of this court…Shall mark his attendance in local police station on first day of each month till disposal of this case…Shall surrender his passport, if any, to NIA.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has welcomed the release of Shah on bail and expressed hope that the NIA) will complete its probe soon. “I welcome his release on bail and hope that the NIA completes its investigation as soon as possible,” Omar was quoted by a national news agency as saying.
State Congress President Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz said that people who had crossed the LoC and want to return should come back in a systematic manner. “They can’t come back without following the procedures. Delhi Police and Jammu and Kashmir Police should coordinate with each other,” he told.
He said that he had taken up the issue of Shah with Delhi Police already.
Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar termed release of Shah on bail as victory of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s efforts. “We welcome other people also who had crossed over LoC. If they want to come back and join their families they are welcome,” he told.
“Shah’s release is a slap on those who oppose rehabilitation policy of our government,” he added.