The Allahabad High Court recently granted bail to Muneer Alam, an accused under the UAPA for alleged involvement with banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI). Allegedly, PFI provided funds to Muneer for anti social activities. The division bench of Justices Attau Rahman Masoodi and Saurabh Lavania noted that the court had already allowed the appeal in the similar matters and granted bail to the accused, namely, Mufti Shahzad, Maulana Sajid, Mohd. Islam Qasmi and Mohd. Shadab Aziz Qasmi.Therefore, on the ground of parity, court granted bail to Muneer as well. On September 24, 2022, an FIR was filed at Kharkhauda Police Station, Meerut District, stating that multiple agencies, including the Anti-Terrorist Squad of Uttar Pradesh, received intel suggesting that the Popular Front of India and other Muslim organizations were involved in anti-national activities, aiming to divide India and establish an Islamic State by 2047.The FIR was lodged under Sections 120-B, 121-A, 153-A, 295-A, 109, 505(2) IPC and Sections 13(1)(a), 13(1)(b) and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.The information was received by an Inspector that in western Uttar Pradesh, under the leadership of Mohd. Shadab Ajeej, State President of the All India Imam Council and former member of PFI, accused individuals Maulana Sajid, Mufti Shahzad, and Mohd. Islam Qasmi were actively involved in strengthening the said organization and working towards establishing 'Gazwa-e-Hind' in India.Muneer's name came to light during investigation that PFI had sent money to his account. Moreover, Muneer made a confessional statement that the said amount was used for the anti-social activities. The Additional Sessions Judge (NIA/ATS Special Judge), Lucknow rejected Muneer's bail application on October 16, 2023. Filing an appeal before the high court, Muneer's counsel argued that Muneer had been roped in the matter on the basis of documentary evidence. The confessional statement made before the police has no evidentiary value and the charge sheet has already been submitted. There is no likelihood of the investigation being affected, therefore bail should be allowed, Muneer's counsel asserted. The high court ordered Muneer Alam to be released on bail. Court, however , imposed conditions including that he shall deposit his passport with ATS, Meerut and shall not leave the State without permission of the trial court.
TAGS: Allahabad High Court bail UAPA Popular Front of India anti-social activities FIR investigation
