New Delhi, Mar 20: A Delhi court has acquitted two men accused of pledging allegiance to the banned terrorist organisation ISIS, citing serious gaps in the investigation. They were also accused of procuring arms and ammunition from Uttar Pradesh for Islamic State Jammu & Kashmir (ISIS-JK) cadres to carry out terror activities.
Observing that the prosecution failed to establish the case beyond reasonable doubt, Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal acquitted Jamsheed Zahoor Paul and Parvaiz Rashid Lone, both residents of Shopian in Kashmir, who were arrested in 2018.
The Delhi Police Special Cell had booked them under Sections 18 (conspiracy) and 20 (membership of a terrorist organisation) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with provisions of the Arms Act.
According to police, a tip-off on September 6, 2018, suggested that the duo had pledged allegiance to ISIS and had come to Delhi to procure weapons for terrorist activities. The Special Cell claimed they were arrested from the Jama Masjid bus stop on Netaji Subhash Marg near the Red Fort, and were allegedly found in possession of two 7.65 mm pistols and ten live cartridges.
In its 79-page order issued on Thursday, the court stated, “The prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt against both the accused persons. Accordingly, both are acquitted.” The court also pointed out lapses in handling digital evidence, noting that four mobile phones seized from the accused remained unsealed in the custody of the investigating officer for nearly two months before being sent for forensic examination. (Agency)
