Delhi High Court Seeks NIA Response on Professor's Bail Plea

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the NIA regarding Professor P Koya's bail plea, which was dismissed in December 2024. Koya, in custody since September 2022 in a PFI-related case, challenges prolonged detention, citing lack of new evidence and entitlement to a speedy trial.

The Delhi High Court has intervened in the ongoing legal battle concerning Professor P Koya by issuing a notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) concerning his bail plea, which was previously rejected by a special NIA court in December 2024.

Professor Koya has been held in custody since September 2022 over accusations linked to the Popular Front of India (PFI). The Division Bench comprised of Justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Anup Jairam Bhambhani has scheduled a hearing for May 6, 2025, while directing the registry to produce any related petitions before the court if received.

The petition, filed by Talha Abdul Rehman on behalf of Koya, contests the dismissal of the bail plea, arguing that his prolonged detention violates the right to a speedy trial as per Article 21 of the Constitution. Despite a charge sheet by the NIA in March 2023 and a supplementary one in April 2023, no new evidence has emerged, and trial proceedings have yet to begin. Koya, at 72, has been entangled in these proceedings amidst a lack of direct evidence, his advanced age, and significant logistical challenges of witness testimonies and document examinations.

(With inputs from agencies.)