Jammu, July 25: A Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court in Jammu has rejected the interim bail application of former Jammu and Kashmir Police Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Devinder Singh, who had sought temporary release to attend religious ceremonies following the death of his father.
However, the court granted him custody parole on humanitarian grounds, allowing him to participate in the Akhand Paath and other post-funeral rituals scheduled from July 27 to July 30.
Devinder Singh, who was arrested on January 11, 2020, along with Naveed Babu, Rather and advocate Irfan Shafi Mir after their vehicle was intercepted near Qazigund on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, is facing trial in a case investigated by the NIA.
In his application, Singh sought 20 days of interim bail, stating that his father, Deedar Singh, passed away on July 17 and that he wished to perform the last rites and attend the religious ceremonies at his residence in Mehjoor Nagar, Srinagar.
Opposing the plea for interim bail, the NIA submitted that Singh is facing trial in offences concerning national security under the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Arms Act and the Explosive Substances Act. The agency also informed the court that his regular bail appeal is pending before the High Court and expressed apprehension that his release on bail could influence witnesses.
The investigating agency, however, stated that it had no objection to granting custody parole on humanitarian grounds, provided Singh remained under proper police escort throughout the period.
Accepting the plea in part, the court permitted Singh to attend the religious ceremonies under custody parole. It directed that he be taken from Kot Bhalwal Jail, Jammu, to Srinagar by road or train under adequate police escort and returned to the jail by the evening of July 31.
The court further ordered that Singh shall remain in police custody during his stay in Srinagar and be lodged at the nearest police station. He has been permitted to visit his family residence daily between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, during which sufficient police personnel will remain deployed for his security and to ensure compliance with the court’s directions. [KNT]
