Arrested PDP leader Waheed Para paid Rs 10 lakh to Hizbul through Davinder Singh, finds NIA

Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party leader Waheed Ur Rehman Para paid Rs 10 lakh to terror outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen to ensure its support ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, National Investigation Agency (NIA) found in its investigation. Para was arrested days before the Jammu and Kashmir District Development Council elections since there was evidence of him having contact with suspended DySP Davinder Singh. Para won DDC election from the Pulwama constituency.

Para’s lawyer T N Raina declined to comment on this specific NIA claim. But in his bail application filed before the NIA special court in Jammu earlier this month, Para denied all allegations of Hizbul links and suggested he was being framed “for settling political scores with a political party”. Sources told Indian Express that the money was allegedly delivered to Hizbul operative Syed Mushtaq Naveed alias Naveed Babu through Davinder Singh.

Davinder Singh was arrested on January 11, 2020, travelling in his Hyundai i10 car with Naveed Babu, Hizbul district commander for Shopian and Ganderbal; and Hizbul operative Rafi Ahmed Dar. LoC trader Tanveer Ahmed Wani; advocate Irfan Shafi Mir and Naveed’s brother Syed Irfan Ahmad were later arrested by NIA once the case was transferred to it.

“Mir and Para have known each other for a long time. Mir told Para that Rs 10 lakh was required for purchase of five AK-47 rifles for Hizbul. Para agreed but put a condition that Hizbul would not create any trouble ahead of the polls and that the outfit would take care of his workers in Pulwama. He also sought Hizbul’s support for the polls,” an NIA officer said.

“It is only the announcement of DDC elections, which PDP and in particular, applicant-accused, is contesting, that NIA is being used as a tool for wreaking political vengeance against PDP, that the applicant was suddenly arrested on concoction and allegations which the NIA knows, are false,” Para’s bail application said. NIA sources said Para was not arrested in June as the probe against him had not been completed.