Delhi HC to Hear NIA Appeal Against Bail to Activist, Journalist in Terror Funding Case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday moved the Delhi High Court challenging a trial court order that granted bail to human rights activist Khurram Parvez and journalist Irfan Mehraj. The case pertains to alleged terror funding through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Senior counsel Madhav Khurana, appearing for the NIA, mentioned the appeal before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia. The agency sought an urgent hearing, arguing that the matter required immediate consideration. The Bench agreed to hear the appeal on Monday, July 20, 2026. Lawyers representing the accused opposed the urgent listing and requested the court to take up the matter on Tuesday, but the Bench decided to proceed with the hearing on Monday.
On Saturday, July 18, Principal District and Sessions Judge Pitambar Dutt of the Patiala House Court granted bail to Parvez and Mehraj in the 2020 UAPA case. With this bail order, Parvez could be released, as he had recently secured bail from the Delhi High Court in another UAPA case.
The NIA registered the case in October 2020, alleging that certain NGOs, trusts, and societies operating in Jammu and Kashmir were involved in raising and diverting funds for terror-related activities. According to the agency, Mehraj worked as a researcher with the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) until March 2022, while Parvez served as the organisation's coordinator. The NIA further alleged that Parvez provided "material support" to protesters during the 2016 Kashmir unrest.
The agency has claimed that several registered and unregistered NGOs collected funds in India and abroad under the guise of charitable and welfare activities, including public health and education. It alleged that these funds were linked to banned terrorist organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). The accused have disputed these allegations.
