New Delhi, Aug 31: The Delhi High Court has refused to grant interim bail to Popular Front of India (PFI) leader OMA Salam, who was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his involvement with the banned organisation. The bench, comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Amit Sharma, rejected Salam’s plea for a two-week release, citing concerns over potential risks, reported The Hindustan Times.
Salam’s request for interim bail was based on the claim that his wife was in a depressive state following the death of their daughter in April. However, the court noted that Salam had been granted custody parole during his daughter’s death, and the current medical condition of his wife did not warrant an urgent intervention.
In its decision, the court emphasised Salam’s influence as a former chairman of PFI, noting that granting him bail could pose a flight risk and potentially influence witnesses. The court also highlighted that Salam’s refusal to meet his wife while on custody parole in Delhi suggested his intent to visit Kerala, which the court deemed risky due to the influence he wields.
Salam was arrested during a nationwide crackdown on PFI in 2022, where multiple members of the organisation were detained across 11 states. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) accused the PFI of conspiring to raise funds for terrorism and training its members for such activities. The government subsequently banned the PFI and its associated organisations on September 28, 2022, for five years, citing their alleged links with global terror groups.
The court’s decision underscores the gravity of the charges against Salam and the broader implications of his potential release on interim bail.
