"No Anti-national Social Media Posts," Delhi HC Grants Bail To Terror Funding Accused Khurram Parvez

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Khurram Parvez, after his arrest in an alleged 2021 terror case by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) accusing him of recruiting overground workers for banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Among the thirteen different conditions imposed on Parvez, the High Court has specifically forbid him uploading/sharing/disseminating or circulating any anti-national material on any social media platform or otherwise.

A division bench comprising Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja has asked Parvez to not make any public statement, including through print, electronic media or social media, touching upon the merits of the case, the evidence, the witnesses or the pending trial. Also, the terror accused has been asked not to leave the National Capital Territory of Delhi without prior permission of the Trial Court.

As per the NIA, Parvez acted as Program Coordinator of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) and the Chairperson of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) where in guise of human rights activism, he was part of the larger conspiracy.

He allegedly in guise of human rights activism, was actively involved in collecting information regarding movement of Army vehicles near the Line of Control, road conditions and details of army camps, structures of army, paramilitary and police etc.. Information regarding officers and security personnel who were involved in militancy operations, was also collected and a dossier of officers named
"High-Ranking Perpetrators‟ was maintained. Parvez's mail data also allegedly revealed that he was in contact with many Pakistani journalists who wanted to portray India in a bad light and wanted from the appellant, footage of the presence of the Indian Army in Kashmir.

In its order, the High Court noted that visiting cards, including that of spokespersons Pakistan based proscribed terrorist organisation Hizb-ul Mujahideen (HM) were found at office of JKCCS and Parvez had visited Pakistan twice in the year 2007 and 2015, during which he had met Syed Salauddin (Amir of HM), a designated terrorist. The accused had also been in contact with Hurriyat leaders from both sides of the border.

"The appellant is also alleged to have been actively involved in instigating and providing material support to the protestors in the Kashmir valley during the post Burhan Wani encounter agitation in the year 2016. It is alleged that the appellant provoked protestors by giving hate speeches “Burhan teray janissar, beyshumaar beyshumaar”, “Go Back Go Back India” and “India go away from Kashmir”, which incited the protestors and caused disaffections against the government. He is also alleged to have been involved in distributing Azad Kashmir Flags to the protestors and other successionist activities," the high court noted.

Case Title: KHURAM PARVEZ vs NIA