Today(on 30th August),The Delhi High Court denied interim bail to Popular Front of India (PFI) leader OMA Salam, who was arrested under the UAPA. The bench, comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma, ruled that Salam’s plea did not justify the granting of interim bail.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: Today(on 30th August), The Delhi High Court has firmly declined to grant interim bail to OMA Salam, a prominent leader of the Popular Front of India (PFI). Salam, who was arrested under the stringent anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), sought a temporary release from custody. However, the court, presided over by a bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma, rejected his plea, stating that-
“no case was made out for the grant of interim bail.”
Salam’s Plea for Bail
OMA Salam’s request for interim bail stemmed from personal grounds. He sought a two-week release, citing the passing of his daughter in April and the deteriorating mental health of his wife, who, according to him, is in a “depressive state.” Despite these circumstances, the court was not persuaded that these factors warranted his temporary release. Consequently, the bench declared,
“The present plea is dismissed.”
Background of OMA Salam’s Arrest
Salam, who holds the position of chairman within the PFI, was apprehended by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) during a sweeping crackdown on the organization in 2022. The NIA’s investigation unveiled that the PFI, along with its office bearers and members, had allegedly conspired to raise funds for executing acts of terrorism across various regions of India. According to the NIA, these activities included conducting camps designed to indoctrinate and train cadres for terrorist activities.
Nationwide Crackdown on PFI
In the lead-up to the nationwide ban on PFI, a coordinated, multi-agency operation led by the NIA was executed. This operation involved near-simultaneous raids across the country, resulting in the detention or arrest of a significant number of PFI activists. These arrests spanned 11 states and Union Territories, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Delhi, and Rajasthan.
ALSO READ: AgustaWestland Group Scam Case|| Supreme Court Rejects Bail Plea of Christian Michel James
Government’s Ban on PFI
On September 28, 2022, the Indian government officially banned the PFI and several of its associated organizations for five years under the UAPA. The ban was imposed due to accusations that the PFI had links to global terror groups, including ISIS. The government’s decision was based on the assertion that the PFI and its affiliates were involved in activities that posed a significant threat to national security.