The Delhi High Court has refused to grant interim bail to jailed Popular Front of India (PFI) leader Anis Ahmed, ruling that the departure of family members for the Haj pilgrimage does not constitute sufficient grounds for release under stringent anti-terror laws.
In an order passed on May 5, a bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain dismissed Ahmed’s appeal against a March 27 trial court order that had previously denied his request for a six-day release.
Ahmed had sought interim bail to meet his mother and other family members in Bengaluru before they embarked on the Haj pilgrimage. He argued that the meeting was a vital part of his cultural customs, noting that it is customary for family members to seek blessings from those undertaking the pious journey.
While the High Court acknowledged the spiritual significance of the pilgrimage, it maintained that legal standards for release under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were not met.
“While there can be no doubt that the Haj pilgrimage is a religious pilgrimage which is of immense importance… the mere travel of family members for the Haj pilgrimage and for the appellant to meet them is not sufficient ground to release the appellant on interim bail,” the court stated.
The court’s decision was heavily influenced by security considerations and Ahmed’s alleged high-ranking position within the now-banned PFI. The bench noted that granting bail would require Ahmed to travel from Delhi to Bengaluru, potentially creating security threats at airports.
According to court records and the charge sheet:
- National Leadership: Ahmed was an office bearer at the national level, overseeing administrative work across India.
- Radicalization Charges: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) alleges Ahmed was involved in radicalizing and recruiting individuals, as well as providing weapons training.
- Conspiracy: He is accused of conspiring with unlawful organizations and participating in terrorist acts.
The NIA strongly opposed the bail plea, characterizing Ahmed as a senior member of a banned organization. Federal investigators argued that his release would likely lead to “disturbances and disharmony.”
The agency further alleged that PFI leadership had hatched a criminal conspiracy to raise funds for terror acts and operated training camps to indoctrinate cadres across the country.
The PFI and several of its affiliates were banned by the Union Government on September 28, 2022, for a period of five years. The ban followed massive multi-agency raids across 11 states, with officials accusing the group of maintaining links to global terror organizations such as ISIS.
Ahmed remains in custody as the legal proceedings regarding his alleged involvement in the organization’s activities continue.
