Arms haul: Order on bail pleas reserved

Mumbai: A special UAPA court on Thursday reserved order on the bail applications filed by three accused arrested in connection with the Nalasopara arms’ haul case last year.

On August 10, 2018, the ATS seized crude bombs and a cache of arms and ammunition from Nalasopara. During investigation over a period of time, the police arrested twelve persons in the case and filed a charge sheet against them.

According to the ATS, the accused were planning terror activities, targeting  places such as the Sunburn music festival in Pune.

Three of the arrested accused - Sharad Kalaskar, former Shiv Sena corporator Shrikant Pangarkar, and Avinash Pawar filed bail applications before special Judge P.S. Tarare the day the probe agency filed a charge-sheet against them.

While Kalaskar contended that despite the case under UAPA, the prosecution case was progressing slowly and the liberty of the accused could not be curtailed, Pangarkar and Pawar contended that the charge-sheet was filed which showed that the investigation in the case was over and their further custody was not required.

Pangarkar also contended that he did not have any criminal antecedents and roots in society and had been a municipal corporator. He was the sole breadwinner in his family and also had the responsibility of looking after his ailing and aged mother apart from his children.

The accused claimed that they had deep roots in society and were ready to abide by all conditions imposed by the court and hence, should not be granted bail.

Chief public prosecutor Jaisingh Desai opposed the bail plea, contending that the charges against the accused were very serious in nature and the possibility of tampering with evidence could not be ruled out.

After hearing the arguments, the Judge on Thursday reserved order on bail applications till February 28.