Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 23: A court in Bandipora today granted bail to an under-trial accused in a 2017 murder case, citing prolonged incarceration of nearly 8 years, absence of strong corroborative evidence, and violation of the constitutional right to a speedy trial.
The Court of Additional District and Sessions Judge, Sumbal, presided over by Mir Wajahat, has granted bail to an accused in FIR No. 22/2017 registered at Police Station Hajin under Sections 302 and 120-B RPC read with Section 7/25 of the Arms Act.
The accused, Aiyaz Ahmad Sofi, a resident of Parray Mohalla Hajin, was granted bail vide order dated April 23, 2026.
The case pertains to the killing of Abdul Rashid Parray alias Billa, who was reportedly known as an Ikhwani commander. It is also on record that the deceased was allegedly involved in the killing of seven members of a family in the Saderkoot Bala massacre, a separate case that remains under trial before a competent court.
In the present FIR, three accused persons are facing trial, of whom Sofi is the first to be granted bail.
While considering the bail application, the court took into account the prolonged incarceration of the accused for nearly eight years at District Jail Kot Bhalwal, Jammu, and the stage of the trial, with a substantial portion of the prosecution evidence already recorded.
The accused was represented by Advocate Tariq Ahmad Bhat and his associates, who have been pursuing the case since its inception.
The offences invoked include Section 302 (murder) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the erstwhile RPC, along with provisions of the Arms Act. Bail in such cases is typically considered based on factors such as the duration of custody, the progress of the trial, and the available evidence at the preliminary stage.
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