"I am of the considered opinion that there was no valid
Press Trust of Indiasanction at the time of taking cognizance for the offence punishable under the UAPA and the said incurable defect cannot be rectified by filing the subsequent sanction," it said. The judge also said there was an "inordinate delay" of 11 days in sending the copy of the FIR to the court and police were unable to explain the reason for it during the trial. According to the police, Sheikh, a permanent resident of Srinagar, was allegedly a member of 'Al-Badr' and he had entered into a criminal conspiracy to collect/deliver a large quantity of restricted satellite phones, solar charger and wireless sets which were meant to be used by terrorists for communication and to commit terrorist activities here.