Supreme Court grants bail to man in UAPA case; says 'bail is rule' even for special statutes

The Supreme Court of India granted bail to a man accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), emphasizing that bail is the rule, even under special statutes like UAPA. The Court highlighted that prolonged incarceration without trial is unjust, particularly when the accused has already spent a significant time in custody. The decision reflects the judiciary's commitment to balancing individual liberty with national security concerns, ensuring that special laws are not misused to deny bail arbitrarily. The ruling is significant as it may set a precedent for similar cases, where the stringent provisions of UAPA have been used to justify prolonged detentions without trial.