[The Quint]J&K Youth Leader’s Arrest: Who’s Actually Been ‘Planted’ By Whom?

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Para just days after he filed his nomination for the Pulwama District Council. The arrest boosted his prospects; his father went from house to house pleading that, by voting to elect him, people would help get him released.

He won handily, but the NIA was not moved. However, the Special Judge who is hearing the NIA case saw how weak the case filed against him was. He granted Para bail last weekend, remarking cuttingly that the NIA had produced no evidence worth the name.

Para would now join the BJP, or another party close to the ruling establishment, they smugly presumed.

But the Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) cell of the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s CID wing picked up Para almost as soon as he was released from Jammu Central Jail, and locked him up for investigations.

The head of the state’s CID wing is reputed to be one of the finest officers in the land, and is in the running to become the director-general of the force.

The NIA, which operates as a favoured instrument of the current National Security set-up, seems to be convinced that there is a case against Para, even though it didn’t produce any worthwhile evidence before the Special Judge.