Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 27: The Court of 3rd Additional Sessions Judge, Jammu (Designated Court under NIA Act), has rejected the medical bail plea of former Bar Association President Srinagar, Mian Abdul Qayoom, in connection with the high-profile murder case of Advocate Babar Qadri.
Qayoom, aged 77, presently lodged in District Jail Jammu, had sought release on medical and humanitarian grounds citing multiple ailments, including diabetes, hypertension, a single kidney, cardiac arrhythmia, and the implantation of a permanent pacemaker in November 2024. His counsel argued that his deteriorating health posed a serious risk to his life inside jail and pressed that Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees the right to life, dignity, and proper medical treatment.
However, Special Public Prosecutors K S Pathania, Shilpa Singh and Ravinder Kumar, representing the State Investigation Agency (SIA), strongly opposed the plea. They contended that the accused was being provided with adequate treatment both inside jail and at Government hospitals, with regular monitoring by specialists. They argued that his ailments were age-related and not life-threatening, adding that granting bail could jeopardize the trial as Qayoom was an influential figure with the capacity to intimidate witnesses.
The court, presided over by Judge Madan Lal, after considering medical records and legal precedents, held that the applicant had “failed to establish any life-threatening condition that cannot be treated in custody.” It further observed that releasing him on bail would risk the safety of witnesses and obstruct the fair administration of justice, given the grave charges under UAPA, IPC, and Arms Act.
The charge sheet alleges that Qayoom conspired with militant groups to eliminate Advocate Babar Qadri, who was openly critical of separatist ideologies. Prosecutors maintained that the killing of Qadri in September 2020 was not only an attack on an individual but also sent a chilling message across the legal fraternity.
Concluding that “continued incarceration does not endanger the applicant’s life” and that his release would pose a serious threat to the trial process, the court dismissed the bail plea.
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