Terror charges framed against PDP leader Parra
SRINAGAR: A special court has framed terror charges against Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, a senior PDP leader and close aide of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, based on a police chargesheet claiming that he was an asset for Pakistan-based terror groups and that his 13-year journey as a journalist and politician from 2007 was a “saga of subterfuge, deceit and double-dealing”.
The court had heard arguments on the framing of charges from the defence and the prosecution earlier this month and it allowed framing of charges against Parra, who is alleged to have established a nexus with terrorists.
He sought support from terrorists for political gains and reciprocated by providing a range of help which led to terror strikes.
The eight-page order made available on Monday stated that
“prima facie there is sufficient evidence against the accused for alleged commission of offences under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and IPC.”
The special NIA judge charged him with being a member of a terror group, raising funds for them as well as aiding an outfit. He was also charged under sections related to waging of war against the country, spreading disaffection against the government and criminal conspiracy.
With the help of five protected witnesses and technical intelligence, the Criminal Investigation Kashmir (CIK), a wing of the CID Department, submitted a charge sheet before the court alleging that Parra was hand in glove with terrorists to further the agenda of Pakistanbased terror groups and also to ensure that his political adversaries are neutralised.
The 19-page chargesheet, with hundreds of pages of annexures, has given instances of his attempts to eliminate political opponents and to help his party leaders by paying terror groups to swing the electoral battle in his party’s favour.
His lawyer Shariq Reyaz has denied all these charges and said that he would contest the order against his client.
The charge sheet has highlighted his links to Pakistantrained Abu Dujana and Abu Qassim, who were killed in separate encounters with security forces, and went on to allege that he used to meet them personally as well as through Over Ground Workers (OGWs).