Supreme Court grants bail to J&K man booked under UAPA after five years in custody as undertrial

The Supreme Court granted bail to a Jammu and Kashmir man, Suhail Ahmad Thokar, accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after he spent five years as an undertrial. The court emphasized the right to speedy trial and personal liberty, reiterating that 'bail is the rule and jail is the exception' even in UAPA cases, a stance that contrasts with previous judgments. The case involved allegations of 'hybrid terrorism' and cross-border conspiracy following the abrogation of Article 370.