Delhi High Court Denies Interim Bail To PFI Leader Seeking Release To Meet Family Before Haj

The Delhi High Court has refused to grant interim bail to Popular Front of India leader Anis Ahmed in a UAPA case, observing that his release even for meeting family members travelling for Haj pilgrimage could pose a security threat.A division bench comprising Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Madhu Jain dismissed Ahmed's appeal challenging a trial court order rejecting his interim bail plea. Ahmed had sought six days' interim bail on the ground that his mother and immediate family members were travelling for Haj pilgrimage and he wished to meet them and seek blessings before their departure. His counsel argued that such meetings form part of customary and cultural practices associated with the pilgrimage. Opposing the plea, NIA submitted that Ahmed was a senior functionary of the banned PFI organisation and had played a significant administrative role in its functioning. The agency expressed apprehension that his release could enable interaction with several community members and potentially create security concerns and disharmony. Dismissing his plea, the Court referred to allegations contained in the chargesheet which claimed that Ahmed, as a member of PFI's National Executive Council, was involved in radicalisation, recruitment of Muslim youth, weapons training and conspiracy to commit unlawful terrorist acts. It said that the mere travel of family members for the 'Haj Pilgrimage' and for Ahmed to meet them was not sufficient ground to release him on interim bail. “While there can be no doubt that the 'Haj Pilgrimage' is a religious piligrimage which is of immense importance and is a very pious trip for those who are undertaking it, the mere travel of family members for the 'Haj Pilgrimage' and for the Appellant to meet them is not sufficient ground to release the Appellant on interim bail,” the Court observed. It added that Ahmed's travel from Delhi to Bengaluru could itself result in “security threat at the airports etc.” The bench clarified that it had not examined the merits of the allegations and was only considering the prayer for interim bail in view of the accusations and Ahmed's alleged role in the organisation. Counsel for Appellant: Mr. Sadan Farasat Sr. Advocate with Mr. A Nowfal, Ms. Varisha Sharma, Mr. Shereef KA, Mr. Md Arif Hussain, Mr. Mansur Ali, AdvsCounsel for Respondent: Mr. Rahul Tyagi, SPPTitle: ANIS AHMED v. NIAClick here to read order

Delhi High Court Denies Interim Bail To PFI Leader Seeking Release To Meet Family Before Haj

Nupur Thapliyal

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