Examiner Bureau | Jammu:
The Principal Sessions Court in Jammu on Friday rejected the bail application of Kamal Singh, who is accused of attempting to murder former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, holding that the gravity of the offence, concerns over public safety and the possibility of the accused repeating the alleged act weighed against his release.
Principal Sessions Judge R.N. Watal, in an order dated July 17, 2026, dismissed the bail plea in connection with FIR No. 29/2026 registered at Police Station Gangyal under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and provisions of the Arms Act.
The court observed that offences involving alleged attacks on prominent public figures extend beyond crimes against an individual and have wider implications for public order, democratic stability and the rule of law. It held that while personal liberty is a fundamental right, it must be balanced against the interests of society in cases involving serious allegations.
Appearing for the accused, Advocate Prince Khanna sought bail on the grounds of innocence, advanced age and medical conditions, including alleged neurological and psychiatric disorders. The defence argued that Singh had no intention of harming Dr. Abdullah and had merely attempted to approach him during a wedding function to take a photograph. It also submitted that the investigation was substantially complete and that the accused’s medical condition warranted his release on bail.
Opposing the plea, Public Prosecutor Hemanshu Parkash argued that the case involved a grave and politically sensitive allegation of an attempt on the life of a senior political leader. He contended that granting bail at this stage could undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system, influence witnesses and adversely affect the ongoing trial.
The prosecution further informed the court that during interrogation, the accused allegedly stated that he would again attempt to kill Dr. Abdullah if given another opportunity and had shown no remorse over the incident.
According to the prosecution, the alleged incident took place on March 11, 2026, during a wedding function at Royal Park in Greater Kailash, Jammu, where Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary were present. Investigators alleged that Kamal Singh fired a shot from a revolver at Dr. Abdullah with the intention of killing him, but the bullet missed its target.
Police said they recovered the alleged weapon of offence, live cartridges, a spent cartridge case and other material during the investigation. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) subsequently carried out a detailed probe.
