New Delhi: A Delhi court has framed charges against IPS officer Arvind Digvijay Singh Negi (IPS:2011:HP), human rights activist Khurram Parvez, and four others in the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) 2021 Jammu & Kashmir terror funding case. The court also discharged one accused, Muneer Kataria, after granting him pardon and accepting him as an approver.
The order, passed on July 31 by Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Sharma, marks a significant development in one of the NIA’s high-profile investigations involving allegations of terror funding, official secrets, and conspiracy.
Negi, a former senior investigator with the NIA who spent more than a decade probing terrorism-related cases, has now moved from being an investigator in several nationally significant cases to facing prosecution himself.
Court Frames Charges Against IPS Officer
The Delhi court has framed charges against Arvind Negi under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly leaking confidential government documents that could affect the sovereignty and integrity of the country.
He has also been charged under the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act on allegations of accepting bribes.
According to the NIA, Negi allegedly passed confidential interrogation reports, investigation records and sensitive documents relating to Jammu & Kashmir investigations to Muneer Kataria, who allegedly shared them with a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative based in Pakistan.
The court observed that sufficient material exists to proceed with the trial. However, it has not pronounced on the guilt or innocence of any accused, which will be determined during the course of the trial.
Khurram Parvez Also Faces Multiple Charges
The court framed charges against Khurram Parvez, coordinator of the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Parvez has been charged with:
- Criminal conspiracy
- Waging war against the State
- Membership and support of a terrorist organisation under UAPA
- Bribing a public servant under the Prevention of Corruption Act
According to the prosecution, material recovered during investigation included digital content allegedly linked to extremist propaganda. The court observed that the material, taken at face value, raised grave suspicion sufficient for framing charges.
Parvez had remained in judicial custody for over four-and-a-half years before securing bail last week.
Other Accused in the Case
Besides Negi and Parvez, the court framed charges against four additional accused:
- Arshid Ahmad Tonch
- Zafar Abbas alias Zafar Ali
- Rambhawan Prasad
- Chandan Mahato
According to the NIA:
- Tonch and Abbas have been charged under UAPA and for conspiracy to destroy evidence.
- Prasad and Mahato allegedly forged identity documents, procured SIM cards and opened bank accounts that were allegedly used by co-accused.
Meanwhile, Muneer Kataria, alleged to be an overground worker (OGW) for Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been discharged after being granted pardon by the trial court in July 2025 and turning approver.
Who Is IPS Arvind Negi?
Arvind Digvijay Singh Negi is a 2011-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre. Although he belongs to the 2011 IPS batch, he initially entered policing through the State Police Service (SPS) before being inducted into the IPS.
Born in 1972, Negi hails from Duni village in Kalpa, Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. His father also served in the Himachal Pradesh Police.
He completed his Bachelor of Arts from Government College Kotshila (Chaura Maidan), Shimla.
Career in Himachal Pradesh Police
Before joining the National Investigation Agency, Negi earned recognition for investigating several major criminal cases in Himachal Pradesh.
As a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), he investigated:
- The 2006 CPMT paper leak case
- The widely discussed Ishita acid attack case in Shimla
His investigative abilities earned him a reputation as one of the state’s capable police officers before his deputation to the NIA.
More Than a Decade at the NIA
Negi spent over 11 years on deputation with the National Investigation Agency, serving almost from its formative years.
During his tenure, he investigated several high-profile national security cases, including:
- 2007 Ajmer Dargah blast case
- Multiple Kashmir terror funding investigations
- Cases involving Hurriyat leaders
- Other terrorism-related investigations across the country
He was regarded as one of the agency’s experienced investigators in terrorism and national security matters.
Awards and Recognition
During his policing career, Mr Negi received several honours for his service.
His notable recognitions include:
- Police Medal for Meritorious Service (2021)
- Gallantry Award (2017) for his role in investigating terror-funding cases linked to separatist networks.
Arrest and Allegations
In February 2022, the NIA arrested Negi in connection with allegations that he had leaked confidential investigation records to overground workers associated with the banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The agency alleged that confidential interrogation reports, internal investigation records and official documents were passed through intermediaries before allegedly reaching Pakistan-based operatives.
Negi was arrested on February 18, 2022, and was granted bail on June 2, 2022.
The present order framing charges means that the court has found sufficient prima facie material to proceed with the trial. It does not amount to a finding of guilt.
Current Posting
Following his repatriation from central deputation, official records indicate that Arvind Negi is presently serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), CID, Himachal Pradesh, a position he has held since November 2025, while the criminal proceedings continue.
The case remains one of the most closely watched prosecutions involving a serving IPS officer, given Negi’s long tenure with the country’s premier anti-terror investigation agency. The trial will now proceed before the designated court, where the prosecution and defence will present evidence on the charges framed.
