Jundal denied bail, NIA allowed more time for probe

The bail plea of Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorist and 26/11 Mumbai attack key handler Abu Jundal, arrested for his alleged role in conspiring to launch terror strikes across the country, has been dismissed by a Delhi court which also gave the national Investigation Agency up to 180 days time to complete its probe into the case.

In an in-chamber court proceeding, District Judge (DJ) I S Mehta allowed the application of NIA, which sought extension of probe time up to 180 days, saying the articles alleged to have been recovered from Jundal is sensitive to 'the issue of national security', the court sources said.

"Looking into the facts and circumstances and the articles alleged to be recovered from respondent/accused (Abu Jundal). I allow the application of the NIA and the accused is remanded to judicial custody for further period of 13 days and Jundal's application under section 167(2) of the CrPC is dismissed," the court said, while fixing the matter for further proceeding on January 17.

During the hearing, Jundal's counsel M S Khan moved the court for bail saying the NIA is delaying the filing of the charge sheet in the case and this does not entitle it to seek more time to complete the probe.

The NIA had also sought extension of Jundal's judicial custody saying its investigation is in progress and it could not disclose its details due to security reasons and the court could see the same in the case diary.

The NIA had lodged an FIR against Jundal following the unearthing of a LeT conspiracy for terror strikes across the country.