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A series of near-simultaneous raids were conducted across the country as part of a multi-agency operation led by the NIA. These operations resulted in the detention or arrest of a significant number of PFI activists in 11 states for allegedly supporting terrorist activities. Salam was arrested on September 22, 2022, during an NIA search operation that led to the seizure of incriminating documents, cash, weapons, and digital devices.
The Delhi High Cout, on Friday, denied interim bail to O.M.A Salam, chairman of the now-banned Popular Front of India. Salam was arrested in connection with a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against the banned organization and its members.
The bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Amit Sharma dismissed Salam's request for a two-week release, stating that no grounds were established to justify the grant of interim bail.
Previously, Salam had sought interim bail on the basis that his daughter had passed away in April, and his wife was currently in a “depressive state”.
As the chairman of the PFI, Salam was apprehended by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) during an extensive crackdown on the organization in 2022. The NIA accused the PFI and its members of conspiring to raise funds for terrorist activities across the country, and of organizing camps to indoctrinate and train their followers for this purpose.
Background:
The government officially banned the PFI and several of its affiliated organizations on September 28, 2022, for a period of five years under the UAPA, citing their alleged connections with global terrorist groups like ISIS.
Salam had also sought to prevent the NIA from submitting a final report under Section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. His counsel argued that the NIA should only investigate scheduled offenses under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 and that there is a mandatory requirement for permission from the Central Government before such investigations. They further contended that the Delhi Police should have conducted the initial registration of the offense.
Justice Saurabh Banerjee agreed to the joint request from both parties to list the matter for hearing on October 31. Previously, in February, Justice Jasmeet Singh had issued a notice to the NIA, acknowledging that the State of Delhi should have registered the offense.
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