In Mumbai, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court declined the bail application of Sadique Qureshi, a 42-year-old lawyer arrested last year for alleged links with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).
“The actions of the applicant, Sadique Qureshi, extended beyond providing legal assistance to the PFI organization. It appears from the material on record that he was engaged in unlawful activities, actively participating in them, collecting funds for the PFI, organizing various programs, and overseeing the organization’s activities,” stated Special Judge BD Shelke, rejecting Sadique Qureshi’s bail plea.
Sadique Qureshi’s defense sought bail, asserting that he had become a scapegoat under political pressure.
He argued that as a legal practitioner involved in social activities, some co-accused and witnesses were his clients, and he was unaware of their involvement in the organization’s activities.
“Mere membership of PFI is not an offense; it must be established that the organization is engaged in terrorist activities. There is no material on record showing that PFI’s activities were banned. There is no document demonstrating the gang’s plan against the nation,” the defense contended.
Special Public Prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves, representing the state, countered these claims by citing a government notification issued on September 27, 2022, banning the PFI.
Sunil Gonsalves argued, “The applicant was the administrator of all the activities, and everything was done according to his advice and guidance.”
Based on information received by the Anti-Terrorist Squad, Kalachowky, Sadique Qureshi, along with co-accused Mazhar Khan, Momin Hussain, Mohmmad Khan, Mohmmad Adhikar, and others, was allegedly conspiring to commit anti-national activities and organizing programs across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region between February 2022 and June 2022.
Sadique Qureshi, described as the legal advisor disseminating knowledge and arranging lectures on evading the law, was accused of planning to establish an Islamic State by converting the Indian Constitution into Shariat Law.
The prosecution further alleged that the group was training youngsters to use weapons under the guise of a health program and relying on foreign aid to disrupt the country’s harmony.
Sadique Qureshi faced charges under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 121-A (conspiracy to commit offenses), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups), and section 13(1)(b) (punishment for unlawful activities) of the Indian Penal Code, as well as section 13(1)(b) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
