The Delhi High Court has called for the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) position regarding an interim bail plea made by OMA Salam, a leader of the now-banned organization Popular Front of India (PFI). Salam, who is facing charges under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), sought bail following personal tragedies in his family.
During a session on Thursday, Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma responded to Salam’s appeal against a previous trial court decision that had denied him bail. The High Court issued a notice to the NIA, requesting a reply within two weeks regarding Salam’s interim bail plea. Salam’s legal counsel highlighted the death of his daughter in April and his wife’s resultant depressive state as grounds for the request.
The matter is slated for a further hearing on July 25. Salam, who holds the position of chairman within the PFI, was apprehended in a comprehensive operation against the organization conducted by the NIA in 2022. This operation, which involved near-simultaneous raids across 11 states, resulted in the detention and arrest of numerous PFI members.
According to the NIA, the PFI and its members were actively involved in conspiring to amass funds for terrorist activities across India. They are also accused of organizing training camps to indoctrinate and prepare their members for terrorist acts.
