Supreme Court Sets 3 Month Deadline For Trial Of Cleric In UAPA Case Over Alleged Al Qaeda Link

While refusing to entertain his bail plea on merits, the Supreme Court today directed a time-bound trial in the case of Islamic cleric Md. Abdur Raheman, facing trial in Odisha for offences under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, over allegations of teaching anti-national ideas and aiding the recruitment of youth to Al-Qaeda.

A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the order, directing that the trial court in Cuttack, Odisha, hear Raheman's case at least twice a week and complete the trial in 3 months.

Further, the Court ordered the prosecution to ensure that sufficient witnesses remain present for examination on all dates. It also directed suitable adjustment of other matters pending before the trial judge to ensure that Raheman's case can be timely heard and decided. "Presiding officer of trial court will not list any other case on any date when trial of this case is to be taken up", the Court said.

Insofar as the Court was told that the trial court has summer vacations from 1 June, it was directed (in the peculiar facts of the case) that the trial court shall continue to function till the trial in the present case is concluded. If need be, the Presiding Officer shall be entitled to vacations at a later point.

"The Public Prosecutor and the defense counsel shall remain present throughout the day [on all dates] and assist the Presiding Officer. No adjournment shall be sought or granted. No witness shall apply and be exempted from appearance except when they can be examined online", the Court added.

In addition, petitioner was given liberty to approach the High Court if circumstances warrant, or trial is not completed within the stipulated time.

Briefly put, petitioner-Md. Abdul Raheman was booked under UAPA in 2 FIRs - one at Delhi and another at Cuttack, Odisha. According to him, the two cases were based on the same allegations and material, thereby amounting to double jeopardy.

He was convicted in the first FIR (registered at Delhi), for which he has statedly undergone 7.5 years imprisonment. He continues to remain in custody as an undertrial in the second case (of Cuttack), FIR in connection with which was registered 3 days after the Delhi FIR.

Before the Supreme Court, Senior Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan appeared for the petitioner and argued that he has undergone custody of more than 10 years, while his sentence in the first FIR has been completed. ASG KM Nataraj, for respone, opposed the prayer for bail given the nature of the allegations. The Court was also told that 25 witnesses remain to be examined in the case.

At one point, CJI Kant remarked that while the terror accused has certain rights, others in the society also have a right to live peacefully.

Case Title: MD. ABDUR RAHEMAN @ MD. ABDUR RAHEMAN ALLI KHAN Versus STATE OF ODISHA, SLP(Crl) No. 1727/2026