SRINAGAR: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has denied bail to a Jammu and Kashmir resident accused of being a Jaish-e-Mohammed operative and conducting reconnaissance of the RSS founder Dr K B Hedgewar’s memorial in Nagpur.
As per media reports, Raees Ahmed Sheikh was arrested in 2022 for allegedly surveying Dr Hedgewar Smruti Mandir in Reshimbag on 15 September 2021. He applied for bail earlier this month, citing a lack of evidence.
A division bench of Justices Nitin Suryawanshi and Pravin Patil rejected his plea. The detailed order will be issued later. Sheikh remains in Nagpur Central Jail.
According to the prosecution, he also intended to survey the RSS headquarters in Mahal but could not proceed. It is alleged that he shared reconnaissance details with his handler in Pakistan.
His lawyer, Nihalsingh Rathod, argued there was no proof linking him to unlawful activities under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). However, government pleader Devendra Chauhan contended that evidence established his ties to Jaish-e-Mohammed and that his actions were preparatory to a terrorist act, falling under UAPA provisions.
Chauhan also pointed out that Sheikh had no legitimate reason to visit Nagpur, as he had no relatives or business interests there. Statements from autorickshaw drivers, hotel staff, and call data records supported the case against him.
The police investigation revealed that Sheikh initially planned to survey the six lanes leading to the RSS headquarters but refrained due to heavy security. A case under UAPA was registered against him at Kotwali police station following intelligence inputs from Jammu and Kashmir.
