In Brief
Bikramjit Singh was arrested in November 2018 for offences under the Indian Penal Code, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act, and UAPA arising from a hand grenade attack. After 90 days in custody, he sought default bail, but a Magistrate wrongly extended the investigation period. The High Court dismissed his plea, holding that once the charge sheet was filed, default bail could not be granted. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding that: (1) only Special Courts designated under the NIA Act have jurisdiction to extend investigation time for UAPA offences—not Magistrates; and (2) once an accused applies for default bail before a charge sheet is filed, that indefeasible right cannot be defeated by subsequent filing of the charge sheet. The Court ordered his release on default bail.
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