The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday challenged in the Delhi High Court the request for a 15-day custody parole by OMA Salam, the chairperson of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI). Salam, arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), sought the extended parole to participate in religious ceremonies in Kerala related to his daughter’s death last year.
The NIA’s counsel argued against the lengthy duration of the requested parole, proposing instead a single-day visit, questioning the necessity of a 15-day ceremony. “You can’t invent a ceremony,” stated the NIA lawyer, expressing skepticism about the prolonged event and requesting additional time to verify the claim.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja, presiding over the case, expressed dissatisfaction with the NIA’s lack of verification regarding the ceremony details provided by the defense. “Ceremony name is given. You should have verified by now. Agency has a network in all the places,” remarked Justice Dudeja during the hearing, which is set to continue on April 28.
Salam’s defense highlighted that the ceremonies include several religious observances, such as reciting prayers at his daughter’s grave and home, along with the recital of holy verses, which are deeply rooted in local beliefs and practices. The lawyer appealed for a minimum of six days of custody parole, adjusting the request from the initial 15 days.
The issue stems from a prior decision by a trial court granting Salam only a day and six hours of custody parole, prompting the appeal to the high court.
Salam was apprehended during a nationwide crackdown on the PFI in 2022, involving near-simultaneous raids across multiple states. The government has accused the organization and its members of engaging in activities linked to global terror groups like ISIS and of using camps to indoctrinate and train cadres for terrorist acts.
