Mumbai: A sessions court on Thursday rejected the temporary bail application of Sunderlal Parashar, 64, retired police officer of Delhi Police, an accused in the Khalistani conspiracy case.
Parashar, accused by the NIA of providing arms to an alleged member Mohinuddin Siddiqui of a pro-Khalistani group, was arrested on 24 April 2019.
In his plea filed from jail, Parashar had claimed temporary bail on the grounds of the High Power Committee’s (HPC) recommendations last year for release of prisoners for decongestion of prisons during the pandemic.
He had cited his age and several health ailments which made him susceptible to the virus in the jail’s crowded conditions. His advocate had also pointed out to the court that the third wave of the pandemic is expected soon.
The NIA had opposed his plea stating that he is not eligible for the relief as he is charged under serious offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The court in its order said that the applicant wants to take benefit of the HPC guidelines, but in the notification offences under special Acts such as MCOCA, TADA, UAPA are excluded from the relief.
It said further that allegations are levelled against the applicant for hatching conspiracy of providing arms to an accused, who then supplied the same to the accused No.1, a member of banned organization. It noted that the main offences are under the UAPA. The court further said that last year, he had filed two interim bail pleas that were rejected in June and July respectively on the ground that the recommendations of the HPC are not applicable to him and that again on the same grounds, he has filed the plea. The court said finally that even though he is over 60 years he is not entitled for the relief.