The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted bail to human rights activist Khurram Parvez, who has been in judicial custody for over four years in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The case involves allegations of terror funding, conspiracy to wage war against India, and recruitment of youths for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Court's Observation on Long Incarceration
A division bench comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja granted bail, observing the long period of incarceration and the unlikelihood of the trial concluding soon. The court noted that Parvez was taken into custody in the present case on November 22, 2021.
Details of the Case
Parvez, a well-known human rights activist, has been accused of involvement in activities supporting terrorism. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had filed charges against him under various sections of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code. The court's decision to grant bail comes after multiple hearings and arguments from both sides.
The prosecution opposed the bail plea, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the potential threat to national security. However, the defense argued that Parvez was a victim of a witch hunt and that there was no concrete evidence against him.
Implications of the Bail Order
Legal experts believe that this bail order could set a precedent for other cases involving long periods of pretrial detention. The court's emphasis on the right to a speedy trial and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty has been welcomed by human rights organizations.
Parvez's family and supporters have expressed relief at the decision, hoping for a fair trial. The case is expected to proceed further, with the trial likely to take time given the complexity of the charges.
This news is reported by Koushiki Saha, a trainee journalist with The Times of India, covering urban governance, infrastructure, and public policies.
