The Supreme Court on Friday stayed a Delhi High Court order granting bail to a man whom the NIA alleges to be a “fundraiser and a conduit to finance terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir”.
A Bench issued notice to Zahoor Ahmed Shah Watali, who is in custody since August 17 last year, to respond to the challenge raised by the National Investigation Agency against his bail. The NIA submitted that Mr. Watali received money from Pakistan and “remitted” it to “Hurriayat leaders, separatists, and stone pelters in Jammu and Kashmir to further their secessionist agenda”. Mr. Watali’s counsel objected to the NIA position, saying his client was 75 years old and a businessman.
Mr. Singh argued that the Special Judge, NIA, had refused bail to Mr. Watali, prima facie observing that his “business establishments were a front/sham for routing funds for terrorist activities”. Mr. Watali has been chargesheeted for offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code. The chargesheet was filed in January this year. The court is yet to frame charges.
The NIA argued that the high court “lost sight of the seriousness and gravity of the crimes committed by the respondent (Watali) along with the other accused persons, which are against the State involving anti-national activities prejudicial to the safety, security and sovereignty of the Republic of India”.
“There is an imminent danger and real threat that he may not only abscond by misusing the bail… there may be serious threat to the life and liberty of the prosecution witnesses, especially protected witnesses who have deposed during investigation,” the NIA said in its petition.
He may even flee for justice, the agency told the Supreme Court, which scheduled the case for hearing on September 26.