Nearly five years of pretrial detention and completion of key testimony have led the Supreme Court to grant regular bail to Abdul Salam in a Kerala murder and Arms Act case.
The State opposed release by referring to alleged attempts to influence witnesses. The Court noted, however, that more than a year had passed since those concerns arose and material witnesses, including eyewitnesses, had since testified.
Bail remains subject to conditions imposed by the trial court. Salam must not approach or influence the remaining witnesses and must cooperate with proceedings scheduled to continue from October 1.
The decision balances the seriousness of the allegations against the changing risks at trial. Once critical testimony was secured, prolonged custody carried less protective value and weighed more heavily against continued detention.