NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR: One of the accused in the Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) conspiracy case, Yusuf Chopan , has been granted bail by a special court on the grounds that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) did not file a chargesheet within the stipulated period. He has, however, been rearrested under the Public Safety Act and sent to a Jammu prison Though some media reports suggested that Chopan was granted bail in the Pulwama attack case , the NIA dismissed these and said a “breakthrough” in the Pulwama case was expected soon.The NIA released a clarification pointing out that he was never arrested in the Pulwama case. “He, along with six others, was arrested in the JeM conspiracy case where two chargesheets were filed against eight accused,” the NIA said. It also released the names of the accused persons — Sajad Ahmad Khan, Tanveer Ahmed Gani, Bilal Ahmed Mir, Muzaffar Ahmed Bhat, Ishfaq Ahmed Bhat, Mehrajuddin Chopan, Mudassir Ahmed Khan and Kari Mufti Yaseer.Mudassir and Yaseer were killed in encounters, the NIA said, adding, “Yusuf Chopan was not chargesheeted due to inadequate evidence.”“As such, he has been granted default bail by the special NIA court in New Delhi on 18.02.2020 and he has been sent back to Kot Bhalwal Jail, Jammu, under the Public Safety Act by order of the DM, Pulwama,” the NIA statement reads.The NIA highlighted that significant leads have emerged during investigations in the Pulwama attack case and a “breakthrough” was expected shortly.Special NIA judge Praveen Singh granted the reprieve to Yusuf Chopan on February 18, observing that he was entitled to statutory bail. “I find that the investigating agency has failed to file a chargesheet within the statutory period. The accused is entitled to statutory bail. The accused is accordingly admitted to bail subject to furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs 50,000 with one surety in the like amount,” the court held.Chopan’s counsel submitted that his client had been in custody for about 180 days and the time for filing a chargesheet had elapsed. Statutory bail was, therefore, sought.The NIA submitted that 180 days — the period for investigation in respect of the accused — was completed on February 11, 2020. Owing to insufficient evidence, the chargesheet could not be filed, it added. The NIA, however, said the investigation would continue under relevant provisions of law.The case pertains to an alleged criminal conspiracy to strengthen the base of the proscribed JeM in India, raising funds for terrorist acts, conspiring to carry out terrorist acts, organising terrorists acts, organising terrorist camps and recruiting persons to carry out terrorist acts as well as harbouring JeM cadres and becoming members of the outfit.