MUMBAI, June 13 -- The Bombay High Court on Friday sought the National Investigation Agency (NIA)'s response to an appeal filed by Irfan Khan, a key accused in the 2022 murder of Amravati pharmacist Umesh Kolhe, challenging a trial court order that refused to discharge him from charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other offences. A division bench of Justices AS Gadkari and Kamal Khata issued notice to the NIA and posted the matter for hearing after four weeks. Khan, who was arrested on July 2, 2022, is among the accused arraigned by the NIA in the high-profile case. According to the agency, he allegedly instigated and supported the assailants who killed Kolhe and was associated with a group whose members were allegedly radicalised and linked to the Tablighi Jamaat. The appeal challenges a March 10 order of the special NIA court rejecting Khan's discharge application. While refusing relief, the trial court held that the murder was carried out with the intention of spreading terror, particularly among Hindus, and therefore attracted provisions of the UAPA in addition to charges under the Indian Penal Code. Represented by advocates Mateen Shaikh and Muskan Shaikh, Khan has now approached the high court seeking discharge from the case "in the interest of justice". Kolhe was hacked to death on June 21, 2022 in Amravati....