India, Dec. 17 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the bail plea of a woman advocate accused of influencing and recruiting young women into the banned CPI (Maoist), underscoring the gravity of the allegations and directing that the trial in the case be concluded within four months.

A bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta took note of the submission made by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that the trial was progressing expeditiously and was likely to be completed within three months. Recording this assurance, the bench directed that the trial be brought to a logical conclusion within a maximum period of four months.

Additional solicitor general SD Sanjay, appearing for the NIA, highlighted the seriousness of the...