Kashmiri journalist and editor of the Kashmir Walla Fahad Shah, has been granted bail by the Jammu Kashmir High Court after spending 21 months in jail.
Fahad was booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and was facing charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
A lawyers representing Fahad in the case confirmed to The Kashmiriyat that other than granting bail to Fahad, the court also dismissed several serious charges, including “abetting terrorism,” “waging war against the country,” and “promoting enmity”.
“Fahad will continue to face trial under other section 13 of the UAPA and violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) for allegedly receiving funds against the law,” he said.
This bail follows the High Court’s earlier decision to quash his detention under the PSA, citing a lack of substantial evidence linking him to a threat to public order.
Fahad Shah’s arrest in February 2022, related to his portal’s reporting on an encounter in Pulwama, led to accusations by the police of disseminating anti-national content to create fear among the public.
Despite securing bail in three cases, Fahad was booked under the Public Safety Act which allows the authorities to detain a person for a period upto two years.
The arrest triggered widespread condemnation from journalistic bodies globally.