Srinagar, Dec 2 — In a significant relief for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and J&K MLA Waheed ur Rehman Para, the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on Tuesday permitted him to travel outside the Union Territory within India, marking a major development in his protracted legal struggle.
Expressing gratitude to the judiciary, Para posted on X that the decision comes after “five years of a painful legal battle.” He reflected on the emotional toll of being unable to support his family during moments of grief, saying the experience had deepened his understanding of freedom and the hardships faced by others living under similar restrictions.
“One institution that continued to give hope — the judiciary,” Para wrote, thanking the High Court for restoring a “small but meaningful part” of his freedom. He also acknowledged Advocate Shariq J. Reyaz for steadfastly fighting his case.
The division bench comprising Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul and Justice Sanjeev Kumar modified the existing bail condition, allowing Para to travel within the country after informing the trial court about his location and purpose of visit. The court noted that easing the restriction would be “in the interest of justice,” especially since Para’s responsibilities as an MLA require frequent travel outside the UT.
Para was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in November 2020 for allegedly supporting Hizbul Mujahideen. Although he secured bail in early 2021, he was immediately re-arrested by J&K Police. In May 2022, the High Court granted him bail, ruling that the evidence against him was “too sketchy” to be prima facie credible. However, the court had barred him from leaving Jammu and Kashmir without trial court permission.
In recent months, Para had sought permanent travel clearance from the Special NIA Court, arguing that the restriction hindered his official duties. The plea faced strong opposition from the SIA and NIA, and the court had reserved its decision.
With the High Court’s latest order, Para will no longer need to await the reserved judgment and can now travel across India while complying with the revised conditions.
