Delhi court grants default bail to six Ukrainian nationals in NIA terror case

A Delhi court has granted default bail to six Ukrainian nationals in a terror-related case being investigated by the National Investigation Agency, marking the latest instance of the probe agency failing to meet statutory filing deadlines. Under Indian criminal procedure law, the investigating agency must file a charge sheet within 180 days of arrest, or the accused becomes eligible for default bail. The court's decision reflects the NIA's inability to complete its investigation and present formal charges against the Ukrainian nationals within the prescribed timeframe. The bail grant comes on the heels of similar relief extended to an American national in a separate NIA case related to Myanmar, where identical procedural lapses were cited. Legal experts have noted that default bail provisions serve as a crucial safeguard against prolonged detention without formal charges, placing a burden on investigating agencies to conduct timely and thorough investigations. The NIA, tasked with probing terror and national security matters across India, has faced growing criticism over case management and adherence to procedural timelines in recent months. Officials have not yet issued a statement clarifying the reasons behind the delayed charge sheet filing in the Ukrainian nationals' case.