UAPA – Delhi High Court Takes Up NIA Challenge Against Bail for Khurram Parvez
UAPA – The Delhi High Court on Sunday agreed to urgently hear a plea filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) challenging a trial court’s decision to grant bail to human rights activist Khurram Parvez and Kashmiri journalist Irfan Mehraj in a case linked to alleged terror funding through non-governmental organisations.
NIA Seeks Immediate Intervention
The appeal was presented before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia. Representing the investigating agency, senior advocate Madhav Khurana requested an urgent hearing, arguing that the matter required immediate judicial consideration due to its seriousness.
After hearing the submission, the Bench accepted the request and decided to take up the appeal on the same day.
Defence Opposed Urgent Listing
Lawyers representing Parvez and Mehraj opposed the NIA’s request for an immediate hearing. They urged the High Court to schedule the matter for Tuesday instead, contending that there was no pressing urgency. Despite the objection, the Division Bench chose to proceed with the appeal without delay.
The hearing comes a day after a Delhi trial court granted bail to both accused in the case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, commonly known as the UAPA.
Trial Court Granted Bail on Saturday
The bail order was delivered on Saturday by Principal District and Sessions Judge Pitamber Dutt at the Patiala House Courts in New Delhi. The case relates to an investigation launched by the NIA in 2020 over allegations that funds collected through certain NGOs were diverted for activities linked to terrorism.
The trial court’s decision marked a significant development in the long-running investigation, prompting the central agency to move swiftly before the High Court.
Bail Could Lead to Parvez’s Release
The latest bail order is particularly important for Khurram Parvez because it removes another legal hurdle to his release. He had recently obtained bail from the Delhi High Court in a separate UAPA matter. With bail now granted in this case as well, his release could become possible, subject to the completion of all legal formalities and any further court orders.
The High Court’s consideration of the NIA’s appeal, however, may influence the immediate outcome.
Background of the Investigation
The NIA registered the case in October 2020, alleging that several trusts, societies and non-governmental organisations operating in Jammu and Kashmir were involved in collecting and diverting funds for unlawful activities connected to terrorism.
According to the agency, money was allegedly raised both within India and from overseas sources under the cover of charitable work, including programmes related to education, healthcare and social welfare.
Investigators further alleged that some of these organisations developed links with banned militant outfits, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), and that the funds were ultimately used to support activities prohibited under Indian law.
Allegations Against the Accused
The NIA has alleged that Irfan Mehraj worked as a researcher with the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) until March 2022, while Khurram Parvez served as the organisation’s coordinator. The agency has also claimed that Parvez extended material support to protesters during the 2016 unrest in Kashmir.
Both accused have disputed the allegations made against them. The legal proceedings remain pending, and the High Court’s examination of the NIA’s appeal will determine whether the trial court’s bail order continues to remain in force while the case proceeds through the judicial process.