In a significant development in the Niamat Ali murder case, two accused, Mohammed Sufiyan and Krish, were granted bail by a court in Chengalpattu on December 27, days after the investigating agency completed its probe and filed the chargesheet.
The court granted bail primarily on the ground that the two accused were not physically present in the vehicle allegedly used during the crime and were implicated only for their alleged role in conspiracy.
According to case records, the police formally submitted the chargesheet on December 30, marking a crucial stage in the investigation into the alleged abduction and murder of Niamat Ali, a resident of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The victim’s body is yet to be recovered.
The bail order comes shortly after the Principal District and Sessions Court, Chengalpattu, had rejected bail pleas earlier in December, citing the seriousness of the offence, the alleged motive rooted in a business dispute, and the fact that the investigation was then incomplete. At that stage, the prosecution had strongly opposed bail, arguing that the accused were involved in a premeditated crime and that custodial detention was necessary.
However, during the subsequent proceedings, the court took note of the distinction in the alleged roles of the accused. As per the prosecution’s latest submissions, Sufiyan and Krish were not among those present in the car at the time of the alleged abduction and were not accused of direct participation in the execution of the crime. The court observed that their alleged involvement was limited to conspiracy, which weighed in favour of granting bail after the filing of the chargesheet.
The case relates to the disappearance of Niamat Ali, who had travelled to Chennai in connection with a business dispute linked to a hotel partnership. Following his arrival, he went missing, leading to the registration of a missing person case that was later converted into a murder investigation and transferred to Kilampakkam Police Station in Tamil Nadu. The prosecution has maintained that the alleged crime was driven by financial and partnership-related disputes.
Earlier, the court had underscored the gravity of the allegations, including claims that the victim was abducted and killed, with the body allegedly disposed of outside the state. The non-recovery of the body continues to remain a critical aspect of the case and has been repeatedly highlighted by the prosecution.
With the filing of the chargesheet now complete, the case is expected to move into the next phase of trial proceedings. While the grant of bail offers temporary relief to Sufiyan and Krish, the court has reportedly imposed conditions to ensure their cooperation with the legal process and to prevent any interference with witnesses or evidence.
The investigation and forthcoming trial are being closely watched, particularly in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where the case has drawn widespread attention due to the victim’s background and the serious nature of the allegations.
