By M Ahmad
Srinagar- NIA court here has rejected an application by PDP leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Para for visiting USA to allow him pursue the coveted Peace Fellowship programme at the YALE Intentional Leadership Centre from September till ending November 2023.
While rejecting the application, the Special Judge designated under NIA Act Srinagar, Sandeep Gandotra, observed that there are “genuine apprehensions” of him fleeing from the country and trying to disrupt the collection of evidence in the USA for which MLAT request has been sent through government of India.
Para, presently released on bail, is facing trial before the court in connection with the case (FIR No. 31/2020 of P/S CIK Srinagar) for offences under Sections 13, 17, 18, 38, 39, 40 of UAP Act and under Sections 120-B, 121, 121-A, 124-A of IPC. The next date has been fixed for prosecution evidence.
The court said the allegations against Para are that he is having close links with foreign and local militants as well as that he is funding, aiding and supporting militant activities and militant organizations.
“It is pertinent to mention here that Investigating Agency has already taken up the matter with Ministry of Home Affairs Govt. of India and a formal request for assistance (MLAT) has been forwarded to the USA,” the court said in an order passed on May 31, adding, “One cannot lose sight of the fact that the applicant (Para) has filed this application seeking permission to go to that country only i.e. the USA for pursuing Peace Fellowship 2023 to which MLAT request has been forwarded.” As such, the court said, the argument of the Additional Public Prosecutor that there are chances of Para fleeing from the country and trying to influence the collection of evidence in the USA “merits consideration”. Consequently, the court rejected the application by Para.
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