SC Slams Assam Police for Keeping Man in Custody for 2 Years Without Trial

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In a stern rebuke to the Assam Police, the Supreme Court has granted bail to a man who was jailed for nearly two years without a trial for allegedly possessing counterfeit currency notes. The court took issue with the police for not filing the chargesheet within the statutory period under the Unlawful Activities Act, 1967. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta criticized the police for keeping the accused, Tonlong Konyak, in custody for an 'illegal' period, despite the law allowing an extension of up to 180 days with court permission. The bench noted that Konyak was granted default bail in two other cases where chargesheets were not filed on time. The police had argued that Konyak, a Myanmar citizen, was booked in numerous cases and had co-accused who were absconding. However, the court ruled that the accused cannot be kept in custody indefinitely and must be granted bail if the chargesheet is not filed within the stipulated period. Konyak was arrested in July 2023 and the chargesheet was filed only in July this year. The Gauhati High Court had earlier refused to grant him bail, citing his illegal entry into India. The Supreme Court's decision comes as a relief to Konyak and highlights the need for the police to adhere to the law and file chargesheets within the specified timeframe.