Denying all charges, Dar’s defence lawyer had pointed out that the name Tariq Ahmed Dar was very common in Kashmir. And cited the MEA’s letters as evidence. “If they had inputs about his terror links they would have never done that,” he told the court.

Dar had alleged he was tortured in jail and today he underlines that. “I underwent acupuncture to revive my foot. Due to third-degree torture in jail, my leg couldn’t move. Doctors said there was some nerve damage.”

“After I was released from jail, I went home to Srinagar and spent two-three months there. I wanted to forget everything. I have been spending a lot of time in Europe as well,” says Dar, adding that he is visiting Europe again next week. “From Srinagar, I returned to Delhi to join my brother in our family business of shawls. Life’s been good since then. I got a few offers from TV and Bollywood but nothing has been so tempting that made me go for it,” he says. “To be honest, I am not very familiar with the modeling scene in Delhi. I think people here don’t know me. With the blessings of god, I was big in Bangladesh.”

Dar went to Bangladesh for his family business, where he struck gold as a model. “Due to my arrest, our business suffered. I picked up the threads after getting released. My Dutch friend from my Bangladesh days suggested I test the waters in Europe. I went to the Netherlands and work has been good since then...I received some modeling offers there. Still, I am seriously waiting for a good offer. I can’t wait to get back to the ramp.”