Delhi HC grants 3-day custody parole to PFI leader OMA Salam
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New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday granted a three-day custody parole to Popular Front of India (PFI) leader OMA Salam, allowing him to travel to Kerala to perform certain rituals related to the death of his daughter last year. Justice Ravinder Dudeja granted Salam six hours of parole each day for three days, during which he will be escorted by armed police personnel. The court instructed that Salam should not use a mobile phone, engage in any public activities, or take photographs during the parole period.
The judge noted that a detailed order would be passed later, but clarified that Salam would bear the expenses for the travel. The court specified that Salam could visit the graveyard once, with the remaining rituals to be performed at his home. Salam had originally sought a 15-day custody parole to perform various ceremonies related to his daughter’s death, but the court limited the parole to three days, considering the nature of his request.
Salam, who was arrested in a case involving the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against the banned PFI, had earlier requested parole after his daughter's passing. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), however, opposed the request, arguing that Salam posed a security threat and that his presence in Kerala could pressure the state. The NIA further claimed that the requested rituals were optional and that a prolonged custody parole would not be permissible.
Salam’s counsel, on the other hand, argued that the parole should be granted on humanitarian grounds and assured the court that Salam would not interact with anyone except his family. The PFI leader had earlier been granted a day of custody parole to attend his daughter's funeral.
Salam had moved the high court against a trial court order that had granted him just one day and six hours of custody parole. He had been arrested during a nationwide crackdown on PFI in 2022, following allegations of involvement in terror-related activities. The government banned the PFI and its associated organizations under UAPA, accusing them of having links to global terror groups like ISIS.
With PTI inputs