A special NIA court in Mumbai has rejected the discharge plea of Irfan Khan, accused of masterminding the 2022 murder of Amravati chemist Umesh Kolhe. The court held that the killing was carried out with a clear intention to spread terror, particularly targeting Hindus, and classified the act as terrorism under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) alongside the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
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Special Judge Chakor Baviskar noted that the evidence considered so far was only “a tip of an iceberg” and that further material would emerge during the trial. The judge expressed doubt that Khan would be acquitted at the conclusion of the case.
The case relates to the killing of Umesh Kolhe on June 21, 2022, allegedly in retaliation for social media posts supporting former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma following her controversial remarks. Initially registered as a murder case, the investigation was later transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which invoked UAPA provisions citing a larger conspiracy to instil terror.
Rejecting the defence’s claim that the case was a simple murder without a terror angle, the court found that the material indicated a clear intent to “strike terror in a section of people.” Witness statements reportedly included Khan using phrases like ‘kafiro ki’ and stating ‘inko anjam dikhana padega’ during meetings.
The NIA alleged that Khan was part of a group that held meetings, mobilised individuals, and conspired to kill Kolhe. Khan was accused of participating in providing logistical and financial support to the assailants as well as aiding them in evading arrest.
The court concluded that Khan’s grudge was not against Kolhe alone but against the entire Hindu community. It stated that by killing Kolhe, Khan aimed to send a message to the wider Hindu community. The court also clarified that under Section 15 of the UAPA, a terrorist act does not require the involvement of a banned organisation and can be committed by individuals with intent to create terror.
The court added that the statements of witnesses were sufficient to establish the terrorist intention of the accused. It also noted there was no personal rivalry between the accused, who reportedly ran an organisation named ‘Rahebar Helpline’ aimed at the betterment of Muslims, and Kolhe. Yet, Khan participated in a criminal conspiracy to murder him, noted the court.
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Published By:
Aprameya Rao
Published On:
Mar 20, 2026 09:58 IST
