u-khand-hc-refers-abdul-malik-bail-appeal-to-division-bench

A single-judge bench of the Uttarakhand High Court on Monday disposed of the bail petition filed by Abdul Malik, the alleged mastermind behind the Banbhoolpura violence.

 

 The court directed Malik to approach a division bench, as the case falls under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

 

On August 30, Justice Ravindra Maithani, who heard Malik’s bail application, had reserved the decision on whether the case should be heard by a single or division bench.

 

The court clarified that this decision would not affect the merits of the bail application itself.

 

In his ruling, Justice Maithani allowed Malik to file an appeal before a division bench.

 

The prosecution argued that, due to the UAPA charges, a division bench should hear the case, while the defence contended that since the case is being investigated by regular police, it could be handled by a single bench.

 

The Banbhoolpura violence, which occurred on February 8 in Haldwani, erupted over the demolition of an "illegally" constructed madrasa and a structure used for offering namaz on encroached land.

 

The violence resulted in six deaths and injuries to over a hundred people, including police personnel and journalists.