The Delhi High Court has underscored the perils of harbouring terrorists, asserting that such actions create “safe havens” and pose significant risks to public safety. In a judgment delivered on February 18, Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma denied bail to Zahoor Ahmad Peer, accused of providing support to terrorists infiltrating from Pakistan into Kashmir.
Peer, a resident of Wahama in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, was arrested in 2017. He is charged with offering logistical and material support to members of terrorist organizations, facilitating their subversive activities within the region. The court highlighted that providing necessities like food and shelter to terrorists not only sustains their operations but also integrates them into society, masking their activities under a “veil of secrecy.”
The bench emphasized the severity of harbouring terrorists, which is a punishable offence under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, potentially leading to life imprisonment. “Harbouring of terrorists may not be seen to be a serious offence, especially when it is claimed that the same is under duress or coercion. However, a deeper analysis would reveal that harbouring is not an innocent act,” stated the court.
This case involves a broader conspiracy attributed to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a terror group based in Pakistan, aimed at executing terror attacks in India. Co-accused Bahadur Ali, along with two associates identified as Abu Saad and Abu Darda, were accused of illegally crossing into Jammu and Kashmir in June 2016. Following a search operation by local police and the Army, Ali was apprehended.
During the subsequent investigation, evidence emerged linking Peer with Ali, indicating that Peer had assisted him by providing food and shelter during his stay in Wahama village. This connection led to Peer’s arrest in September 2017.
