J&K police alleges PDP leader Waheed Para-Pakistan 'nexus'; asks Google for assistance

J&K Police's Counter Intelligence Kashmir wing filed a 19-page charge sheet against PDP youth wing president Waheed Para in a designated court in Srinagar. Alleging that Para received instructions and vice from Pakistan-based secessionist leers and terrorist groups, police has approached Google US to provide contents of emails exchanged by him through his three email IDs. This request has been routed through Ministry of External Affairs under aegis of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. 

charge sheet alleges that re is sufficient prima facie evidence to launch prosecution against PDP leer “for establishing a nexus with terrorists to seek ir backing for his political gains and for reciprocating by way of providing a range of help and support which led to terror strikes". However, PDP has consistently rejected se allegations and termed m as "politically motivated". Moreover, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has cited independent UN human rights experts to claim that Para has been kept in inhuman conditions and tortured.

Waheed Para's prolonged incarceration

Along with or mainstream political leers, Waheed Para was detained on August 5, 2019, when special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked. While he was released from a sub-jail and put under house arrest in February 2020, NIA arrested him on November 25, 2020, in suspended DSP Davinder Singh's case. Based on alleged disclosure of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Naveed, arrest took place three days after he filed nomination papers from Pulwama for District Development Council election.

Granting bail to PDP youth wing president on January 9, special NIA court highlighted loopholes in agency's case. However, he was arrested by Counter Intelligence Kashmir wing of J&K Police while he was walking out of Jammu District Jail. He was brought to Srinagar for investigation in connection with link of J&K politicians with Pakistan and terrorists. This FIR has been registered under various Sections 13, 17, 18, 38, 39, 40, 120B, 121, 121A and 124A of Indian Penal Code.

As per FIR, unnamed politicians of Union Territory have been accused of “aiding and supporting” terrorism and establishing “relations with different Pakistan-supported terrorist and secessionist organizations. While rejecting Para's bail plea in this case on February 23, a court observed, “If personal liberty and security of state are pitted against each or, latter will prevail. If enlarged on bail, unity, integrity, security and sovereignty of country will be endangered".