Taking strong exception to the incarceration of a Myanmar citizen in Assam for two years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) for allegedly possessing counterfeit India currency notes without even filing a chargesheet, the Supreme Court on Friday granted him bail declaring his custody to be illegal.

“Whatever be the stringent provisions under UAPA, the law does not provide for illegal custody. This is appalling. For two years, you did not file the chargesheet and the man has been in custody? This is, in fact, illegal custody. You consider yourself to be the premier investigating agency of the country...,” a Bench led by Justice Vikram Nath told the Assam Government counsel.

The Bench — which also included Justice Sandeep Mehta — pulled up the Assam Police for not f

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