NIA Charges Six Separatist Leaders in 1996 Kashmir Violence Case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken a significant step in its ongoing investigations by filing a chargesheet against six prominent leaders of the separatist Hurriyat Conference, marking a pivotal development in a long-standing case of mob violence that erupted in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, in 1996. The agency lodged the charges on Friday, shedding light on an incident that involved rampant violence and aggressive attacks on law enforcement personnel.

Among those named in the chargesheet are influential figures such as Shabir Ahmad Shah, the head of the Democratic Freedom Party, Syed Ali Shah Geelani from Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Abdul Ganie Lone, the founder of the J&K People’s Conference, Javid Ahmad Mir from the J&K Liberation Front, Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi, the chairman of the Islamic Students League, and Mohammad Yaqoob Wakeel. These leaders have been implicated in orchestrating a criminal conspiracy that led to violent clashes and a hostile environment for the police during that tumultuous period.

It is noteworthy that the NIA highlighted that while proceedings against Geelani, Lone, and Wakeel have been abated due to their passing, the chargesheet effectively outlines their alleged involvement in the heinous acts committed during the riots. The NIA assumed jurisdiction over this case in April 2026, following directives from the Union Home Ministry, taking over from the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

The agency’s actions come at a time when Shabir Ahmad Shah was recently released on bail from a terror-funding case, but was quickly arrested again, adding layers of complexity to this situation. Currently, Shah is incarcerated in Tihar Jail in New Delhi, linked to a separate investigation by the Enforcement Directorate. Meanwhile, the other two remaining accused, Mir and Bakshi, continue to operate from their base in Srinagar.

The charges leveled against the six leaders involve serious offenses under the Ranbir Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, attempted murder, and rioting, suggesting a coordinated effort to disrupt peace and order in the region. This development not only highlights the NIA’s ongoing commitment to addressing historical cases of violence in Kashmir but also the broader implications for separatist movements in the region, as the agency moves forward with its mandate to ensure justice and accountability.

Source: scroll.in