New Delhi, May 20 (Reporter) The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to Suman Shaik, a Bangladeshi national, who was arrested in connection with a human-trafficking case involving alleged infiltration and trafficking of foreign nationals into India through the porous India-Bangladesh border. A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice NV Singh observed that the trial in the matter is likely to take long, and that the continued incarceration of the accused without conclusion of trial would not serve the ends of justice. “In the given circumstances, the indefinite incarceration of the petitioner will not serve the criminal justice system,” the Bench said. “Therefore, we are of the opinion that the petitioner be released on bail, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case.” During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner submitted, “I have been in jail for one-and-a-half years. There are 43 witnesses in the case. This trial will never end.” Justice Kant observed that the case involved “partial labour exploitation.” Appearing for the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati opposed the bail plea, saying, “His role is in facilitating the infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals. The court may consider imposing strict conditions if bail is granted.” While dictating the order, the court noted that the petitioner is accused of aiding the entry of Bangladeshi nationals into India. “The petitioner seeks enlargement on bail. The allegation is that the petitioner himself is a Bangladeshi national who entered India 15 years ago and now facilitates illegal entry of others.” However, the petitioner has contended that he is an Indian citizen, claiming to have been born in Uttar Pradesh. Suman Shaik was arrested in December 2023. Granting bail, the apex court laid down strict conditions: the petitioner shall not leave the state of Karnataka without prior permission of the NIA; his passport shall remain seized; and he shall report to the NIA office once every week...////...