Jammu Court Denies Bail to Farooq Abdullah Attack Accused, Cites Threat to Democracy

A court in Jammu on Friday rejected the bail plea of Kamal Singh Jamwal, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah earlier this year. The judge ruled that an attack on a public figure of Abdullah's stature could not be treated as a simple crime against an individual, but had wider implications for public order, democratic stability, and the rule of law.

The alleged assassination attempt took place on March 11, while Dr Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary were attending a wedding at a venue in Jammu's Greater Kailash area. A case was subsequently registered at Gangyal police station.

Principal Sessions Judge R.N. Wattal rejected Jamwal's medical plea, noting that no substantial evidence had been placed on record to prove that he suffered from a mental disorder. The court added that the plea of legal insanity would require detailed examination during trial and could not be decided at the bail stage.

The judge held that the gravity of the alleged offence and the likelihood of its repetition outweighed the accused's claim for liberty. Sufficient material was available on record to proceed against Jamwal under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (attempt to murder) and Section 30 of the Arms Act (contravening license conditions, provisions, or rules).

During the proceedings, the charges were formally framed and explained to Jamwal, who is currently lodged in Amphalla district jail. He appeared via video conference and pleaded not guilty, opting to face trial. The court then directed the prosecution to produce its witnesses and fixed July 31 for recording prosecution evidence.