Nearly Five Years In Jail, Trial Far From Over: Delhi Court Grants Bail To ISIS Module Accused
Nearly Five Years In Jail, Trial Far From Over: Delhi Court Grants Bail To ISIS Module Accused Reported By, Last Updated: June 03, 2026, 13:49
Nearly Five Years In Jail, Trial Far From Over: Delhi Court Grants Bail To ISIS Module Accused Reported By, Last Updated: June 03, 2026, 13:49 IST The NIA’s 2021 ISIS module case relates to an alleged network accused of radicalising and recruiting youths through encrypted social media platforms. Rapid Read A Delhi court has granted bail to Madesh Shankar, an accused in the Investigation Agency’s (NIA) 2021 ISIS module case, after he spent more than four years and nine months in custody. Observing that the trial is “not going to complete in the near future" and that continued incarceration would impinge on the accused’s right to personal liberty, a Delhi court has granted bail to Madesh Shankar, an accused in the Investigation Agency’s (NIA) 2021 ISIS module case, after he spent more than four years and nine months in custody. Principal District and Sessions Judge Pitamber Dutt of the Patiala House Courts allowed Shankar’s bail plea, noting that the prosecution still has nearly 90 witnesses left to examine and that only two witnesses examined so far have specifically deposed against him.
The NIA case relates to an alleged ISIS-inspired module headed by Mohammed Ameen Kathodi, who is accused of radicalising and recruiting youths through encrypted social media platforms. Shankar was arraigned through a supplementary chargesheet and was not named in the original chargesheet filed by the agency. In his bail application, Shankar, through his counsel Advocate Rahul Saini, argued that the investigation against him had concluded, that he was not in direct contact with several co-accused, and that the trial had progressed slowly despite charges being framed in October 2022. Advocate Saini argued that Shankar’s role was similar to that of co-accused Amaar Abdul Rahiman, who was granted bail by the Delhi High Court in May 2024. He further contended that Shankar had no connection with the other accused persons apart from his alleged contact with co-accused Deepthi Marla and sought parity with Rahiman’s case. The court noted that out of 151 prosecution witnesses, only 61 have been examined to date, leaving around 90 witnesses yet to testify.
Given the pace of proceedings, the court said the trial was unlikely to conclude soon. Relying on Supreme Court rulings, including Union of India vs K.A. Najeeb, the court reiterated that prolonged pre-trial incarceration can justify the grant of bail even under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) when the trial is unlikely to conclude within a reasonable period. Granting relief, the court directed Shankar to furnish a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh with two sureties of the like amount. It also imposed conditions including surrender of passport, regular reporting to authorities, restrictions on foreign travel, and a prohibition on contacting members of ISIS or any other terrorist organisation. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Principal Correspondent Ananya Bhatnagar, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court.
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