UAPA: Supreme Court Grants Bail to NSCN(IM) Leader Alemla Jamir After 6 Years in Custody
Supreme Court granted regular bail to NSCN(IM) leader Alemla Jamir, noting her prolonged six-year incarceration under UAPA and partial completion of trial
Supreme Court bench of Justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh granted regular bail to NSCN accused Alemla Jamir after six years of custody under UAPA
The Supreme Court on Monday granted regular bail to Alemla Jamir, an accused linked to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), who had been in custody for six years under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The Bench of Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh passed the order, observing that a substantial part of the trial had already been completed and many witnesses had been examined. The Court also took into account that Jamir had been incarcerated for a prolonged period and is a woman.
“Leave granted. Many of the witnesses have already been examined, and the appellant has been in incarceration for over six years. We also take note of the fact that the appellant herein is a lady. Taking all of the above into consideration, we are inclined to grant bail,” the Bench said in its order.
Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Tanveer Ahmed Mir appeared for Jamir, while Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Singh Bhati represented the respondents.
Sibal argued that the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) case was “manufactured and false”, and that prolonged detention without conclusion of trial was unjustified.
During the hearing, ASG Bhati urged the bench to consider Jamir’s “profile”, noting that she held a significant position within the organisation. Justice Sundresh, however, remarked, “Yes, her husband is also absconding now. She can’t be left to suffer.”
Jamir was arrested in 2019 at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, allegedly carrying ₹72 lakh in cash. Investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) claimed that the funds were intended to support the activities of NSCN(IM). She was charged under Sections 10, 13, 17, 18, 20, and 21 of the UAPA, along with Sections 120B, 384, and 471 of the IPC, and Section 25 of the Arms Act.
The Delhi High Court had earlier rejected her bail plea, citing her highly influential status within NSCN(IM) and the likelihood of witness tampering and evidence interference. The court also found prima facie evidence of her involvement in terror funding and conspiracy.
Jamir, however, maintained that the NSCN(IM) is not a banned organisation, arguing that it operates under the 1997 Ceasefire Agreement and the 2015 Framework Agreement with the Government of India. She asserted that her prosecution was politically motivated and unsupported by credible evidence.
The Supreme Court had issued notice in July 2025 on Jamir’s Special Leave Petition challenging the Delhi High Court’s order. With today’s ruling, the top court granted her long-awaited relief, emphasizing that continued incarceration without conclusion of trial would be unjust.