“Supreme Court Sets Aside High Court Order, Grants Bail to Retired Police Officer Pradeep Rameshwar Sharma: ‘No Purpose in Continuing the Appellant in Custody’”

New Delhi, August 23, 2023: In a significant ruling today, the Supreme Court of India set aside the orders of the Special Court and the High Court, granting bail to retired police officer Pradeep Rameshwar Sharma. The judgment was delivered by Justice A.S. Bopanna and Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha.

Sharma was accused of various offenses, including conspiracy and murder, under Sections 120B, 201, 302, 364, and 403 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Section 25 of the Arms Act, and Sections 16, 18, and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2004 (UAPA).

In its observation, the Supreme Court noted, “there would be no purpose in continuing the appellant in custody,” emphasizing that the charge sheet filed by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) didn’t strongly link Sharma to the alleged conspiracy of planting gelatin sticks in a vehicle. The court also took into consideration that the appellant had already been in custody since June 17, 2021, and that all the witnesses were yet to be examined.

Justice A.S. Bopanna stated in the judgment that “the fact that he was a police officer and has retired after rendering 37 years of service is a factor which should weigh in favor of the appellant as he has strong roots in Mumbai and would be available to stand trial.”

The apex court directed that Sharma should be released on bail subject to conditions imposed by the trial court.

Date of Decision: August 23, 2023

Pradeep Rameshwar Sharma  vs National Investigating Agency & Anr.