Journalism of Courage
This is an archive article published on March 23, 2023
NIA gets 10-day custody of rights activist Khurram Parvez, journalist
Principal District and Sessions Judge Dharmesh Sharma also remanded Kashmiri freelance journalist Irfan Mehraj to NIA’s custody in the same case. He was arrested on Monday from Srinagar.
Khurram Parvez
A Delhi court Wednesday sent Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez to NIA custody for 10 days in connection with a case related to NGOs and trusts allegedly diverting funds meant for charitable activities to “secessionist and separatist activities” in Jammu and Kashmir.
Principal District and Sessions Judge Dharmesh Sharma also remanded Kashmiri freelance journalist Irfan Mehraj to NIA’s custody in the same case. He was arrested on Monday from Srinagar.
Mehraj is said to be a close associate of Parvez and worked with his organisation, J&K Coalition of Civil Societies (JKCCS). Investigations revealed that the JKCCS was “funding terror activities” in the Valley and had also been “propagating secessionist agenda” in the garb of protection of human rights, the NIA stated.
Two separate applications were moved by the NIA, seeking custody remand of Parvez and Mehraj for 12 days. The applications for custody remand of the accused were opposed by Parvez’s lawyer Tanveer Ahmed Mir, saying that 12-day custody is absolutely unwarranted.
Advocate Rajat Kumar, who appeared for Mehraj, argued that the “present FIR is about two-year old and in between, the accused has been cooperating with the NIA”.
The court granted NIA 10 days’ custody of both the accused to “unearth the incriminating material and other links concerning their unlawful activities.”
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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