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

Jammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has appointed a special public prosecutor to handle a six-year-old case, according to a notification issued by the J&K Home Department. The case, registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), involves PDP leader and legislator Waheed Para. The six-year-old FIR is registered against Para, who is accused of advocating unlawful activities, collecting funds for a terrorist organization, conspiracy, attempt, or facilitation of a terrorist act, and criminal conspiracy and waging war against the state.

Para, who was previously detained by police and detained in jail, was granted bail by the J&K High Court in May 2022, and his conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court in October 2022. Para expressed frustration with the lengthy court proceedings, stating that under UAPA, the process itself has become the punishment, as he has been attending court for four years, but only eight witnesses have appeared in four years.