Hyderabad, Aug. 16 -- After serving 18 long years in jail, eight men finally tasted freedom after a Nagpur court in Maharashtra acquitted them on charges of holding meetings and distributing pamphlets linked to the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), citing no evidence.

SIMI was designated a "terrorist organisation" by the Indian government in 2024 and has been subsequently banned for five years.

Shakil Warsi, Shakir Ahmed Nasir Ahmed, Mohammad Rehan Atullakhan, Jiyaur Rahman Maheboob Khan, Wakar Baig Yusuf Baig, Imtiyaj Ahmed Nisar Ahmed, Mohammad Abrar Arif Mohammad Kashim, and Sheikh Ahmad Sheikh were arrested by the Maharashtra police in 2006 under Sections 10 and 13 of the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Ac...