Process is punishment, says MLA Waheed Para, as J&K names special prosecutor for six-year-old case

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has appointed Abdul Rashid Dar as a special public prosecutor for a six-year-old case, sparking criticism from PDP leader and legislator Waheed Para. The case, registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), involves Para along with several other offenses. Para, who was detained by police on November 25, 2020, was later released on bail and won the District Development Council (DDC) seat from Pulwama after contesting in the polls.

However, he was denied the opportunity to take oath even after being released on bail. In a recent interview to The Indian Express, Para stated that under the UAPA, the process itself has become the punishment, as he has been attending court for four years with only eight witnesses appearing during the entire process. Despite his bail granted by the J&K High Court in May 2022 and upheld by the Supreme Court in October 2022, Para continues to face ongoing court hearings while he is already out on bail.