J&K: NIA court grants parole to DSP to attend father's post death rituals

Jammu, July 25 (AHN) The special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court has rejected the interim bail application of dismissed deputy superintendent of police (Dy.SP) Devender Singh, but granted him five‑day parole to attend his father’s post‑death rituals.

The court dismissed Singh’s plea for interim bail but allowed custody parole on humanitarian grounds, permitting him to attend the ‘Akhand Paath’ and other post‑cremation rituals at his family residence in Srinagar between July 27 and 30, under police escort.

Singh was arrested in January 2020 while ferrying Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, including its self‑styled commander Syed Naveed Mushtaq, at a checkpoint in Anantnag. He was chargesheeted by the NIA and dismissed from service in 2021.

According to the bail application, Singh’s father, Deedar Singh, passed away in Srinagar on July 17. Lodged in Kot Bhalwal central jail in Jammu since his arrest on January 11, 2020, he sought 20 days’ interim bail to attend the cremation and rituals.

Special Judge Prem Sagar, in his July 21 order, said: “Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, the prayer to grant interim bail is not considered as the applicant has already filed an appeal against the rejection of regular bail. However, this court partly allows the application purely on humanitarian grounds and allows him to participate in the religious rituals.”

The court directed that Singh remain in police custody during parole, be taken to the venue between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day, and return to jail on July 31.

The NIA opposed interim bail, citing serious offences under the IPC, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Arms Act and Explosive Substances Act. It argued that releasing Singh could risk witness tampering. However, the agency said it had no objection to custody parole with adequate police escort.

Singh’s dismissal had earlier triggered a red alert in J&K, as he had been deployed on anti‑terror operations and was accused of developing contacts with terrorists, prompting verification of antecedents of those associated with him.