ibn sultan
New Delhi, Dec 23: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed the appeals filed by several jailed Kashmiri separatist leaders, including Masarat Alam Bhat, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, and businessman Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali, challenging the trial court’s order framing charges against them in a militancy funding case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
A Division Bench comprising Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Manoj Jain also rejected the appeals filed by the sons of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin—Shahid Yusuf and Syed Ahmad Shakeel.
The High Court held that the appeals were not maintainable as they were directed against an order on charge. The Bench cited Section 21 of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, which bars appeals against interlocutory orders passed by Special NIA Courts.
“A detailed judgment is awaited,” the court said.
Earlier, in March 2022, the Special NIA Court had framed charges against the accused for alleged involvement in militancy funding activities. Special Judge Praveen Singh had observed that the accused shared a common objective of secession and were in close association with banned militant organisations, allegedly operating under the guidance and financial support of the Pakistani establishment.
In the same case, the Special Court had also framed charges against Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder Yasin Malik. While Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin are believed to be in Pakistan, Yasin Malik pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life imprisonment. The NIA’s appeal seeking the death penalty for Malik is currently pending before the Delhi High Court.
In a common judgment delivered on Tuesday, the High Court also dismissed appeals filed by several other accused in different militancy-related cases.
