A Delhi court has granted bail to prominent Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez and journalist Irfan Mehraj in a case being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The bail was granted by the Principal and Sessions Judge at Patiala House Court. Both Parvez and Mehraj had been in judicial custody in connection with the case.
NIA Allegations Against Khurram Parvez
Khurram Parvez is the Programme Coordinator of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) and Chairperson of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD). He was arrested by the NIA on November 22, 2021.
The NIA has alleged that, under the guise of human rights activism, Parvez conspired with a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative to run a network of overground workers (OGWs) to further the activities of the Pakistan-based militant group and facilitate terrorist acts in India.
Journalist Irfan Mehraj Also Released on Bail
Independent journalist Irfan Mehraj, who was also arrested in the case, has been granted bail by the same court.Mehraj has worked with Deutsche Welle and has contributed to publications including The Indian Express, TRT World, The Wire, The Caravan, Himal Southasian, and The New Arab. His reporting has largely focused on Kashmir, including issues affecting the region’s Muslim community.
The detailed conditions of the bail order are yet to be made public. The case against both Parvez and Mehraj will continue as per law.
