Untitled Mar 13, 2025 09:46 pmHC denies bail to UAE businessman in terror case

New Delhi

The Delhi High Court has rejected the bail plea of UAE-based businessman Naval Kishore Kapoor, who was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly funding unrest in Kashmir.

A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur ruled that the prosecution had established Kapoor’s role in aiding Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali in channeling foreign funds to support secessionist and terrorist activities in the valley. The court upheld a 2019 trial court order denying him bail.

The bench noted that sufficient evidence indicated Kapoor, along with Watali, facilitated the transfer of money through fake companies in the UAE to separatists in Kashmir. These funds were allegedly used for violent activities, including stone pelting and arson. The court observed that the money came from Pakistan and its agencies, with Watali as a key conduit and Kapoor playing an active role in the process.

While acknowledging the right to a speedy trial, the court stated that the serious nature of allegations justified denying bail. It emphasized that trials were progressing swiftly and the UAPA's strict bail provisions applied.

Additionally, the court noted that Kapoor’s Dubai residency increased the risk of flight and evidence tampering. The NIA's investigation, based on a 2017 case, claimed that separatists used hawala networks to fund anti-India activities, with Kapoor named in a 2019 chargesheet for conspiracy and terror funding.