Supreme Court rejects NIA challenge to Khuram Parvez's bail

The Supreme Court dismissed the NIA's challenge to activist Khuram Parvez's bail. The ruling reinforces liberty protections when UAPA trials face prolonged delays.Image used for representational purposes onlyNewdelhi,Oct 30, 2026 16:16 ISTThe Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a National Investigation Agency plea challenging the bail granted to Jammu and Kashmir human rights activist Khuram Parvez in a case under the anti-terror law, news agency Press Trust of India reported.A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale refused to interfere with the Delhi High Court's June 10 judgment granting bail to Parvez, who had spent more than four years in custody.Parvez, programme coordinator of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society and chairperson of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances, was arrested by the NIA on November 22, 2021.The NIA alleged that Parvez, under the guise of human rights activism, conspired with a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative to run a network of ground-level workers to further the activities of the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation and carry out terror acts in India. Parvez has denied the allegations. According to PTI, the NIA also alleged that Parvez was actively involved in collecting information about the movement of Army vehicles near the Line of Control, road conditions, Army camps and the structures of the Army, paramilitary forces and police.The agency named Parvez in a charge sheet for alleged offences under sections 13, 18, 18B, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. These provisions relate to unlawful activities, conspiracy, recruitment for terrorist acts, membership of a terrorist organisation and support for a terrorist organisation. He was also charged under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code. While granting bail, the Delhi High Court noted Parvez's incarceration of more than four years and said the trial was unlikely to conclude soon. It held that his rights under Article 21 of the Constitution took precedence over the restriction on bail under Section 43D(5) of the UAPA.The high court also observed that Parvez, who lost a leg in a landmine blast in 2004, was infirm and deserved "special consideration". It set aside a trial court's December 2024 order rejecting his bail plea.Parvez's counsel had argued before the high court that statements against him without conclusive evidence did not establish an initial case under the UAPA. The lawyer said information about Army structures and related matters had been compiled and published in a 2015 report as legitimate human rights documentation in the public interest, with most of the information obtained through the Right to Information law.The Supreme Court's refusal to intervene leaves in place the Delhi High Court order granting Parvez bail in the NIA case.- Ends