SRINAGAR, June 14:
A court in Srinagar has refused to allow Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth leader Waheed Para to travel to the United States of America to pursue a 3-month Peace Fellowship Programme at YALE University.
Para, who was jailed for around 18 months under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), was selected as the Yale Peace Fellow at Yale University’s International Leadership Center in April this year. Para was arrested on November 25, 2020 and remained in jail until May 25, 2022 under UAPA. He was granted bail in May 2022 in a terror-related case.
The special court designated under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, while rejecting Para’s application to allow him to travel to US, said charges have been framed against him for offences under Sections 13, 17, 18, 38, 39, 40 of UAPA and under Sections 120-B, 121, 121-A, 124-A of IPC which are very grievous and punishable with death and imprisonment for life.
“The allegations against the applicant are that he is having close links with foreign and local terrorists as well as that he is funding, aiding and supporting terrorist activities/terrorist organizations. It is pertinent to mention here that Investigating Agency has already taken up the matter with Ministry of Home Affairs Govt. of India and a formal request for assistance (MLAT) has been forwarded to the USA,” Additional Sessions Judge, Special Judge Designated Under NIA Act Srinagar Sandeep Gandotra order that was issued on May 31, read.
The Court said one cannot lose sight of the fact that the applicant has filed this application seeking permission to go to that country only i.e. the USA for pursuing Peace Fellowship 2023 to which MLAT request has been forwarded.
“As such, the argument that there are chances of the applicant fleeing from the country and there are apprehensions of the applicant trying to influence the collection of evidence in the USA merits consideration,” the court said
The Court said not only the trial of the case will get hampered which is at evidence stage, but there are genuine apprehensions of the applicant fleeing from the country and him trying to disrupt the collection of evidence in the USA for which MLAT request has been sent through Govt of India.
“For the reasons discussed hereinabove the application is dismissed and shall for part of the main file after due compilation under rules,” the order read. (UNI)
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