| NIA Court issues proclamation against Hizb Chief, 3 others in 1996 case | | |  Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, June 10: A special court designated under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act in Srinagar on Wednesday issued a proclamation against four accused persons including banned Hizbul Mujahideen Chief Syed Salahuddin, in a 1996 militancy-related case after they allegedly failed to appear before the court.
According to the proclamation issued by the Court of Additional Sessions Judge TADA/POTA and Special Judge designated under the NIA Act, the accused have been identified as Mohammad Yousuf Shah alias Syed Salahuddin of Soibugh Budgam, Ghulam Nabi Khan alias Amir Khan of Anantnag, Sher Mohammad alias Bahadur alias Riyaz of Bandipora, and Nasir Yousuf Qadri of Bemina Srinagar.
The proclamation was issued by Additional Sessions Judge, TADA/P Manjeet Rai, in connection with FIR No. 05/1996 registered at Police Station CIK Srinagar under Sections 121 and 121-A of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) pertaining to waging war and conspiracy against the State; Sections 153-A and 153-B related to promoting enmity and prejudicial assertions against national integration; Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for unlawful activities; and Sections 2 and 3 of the Enemy Agents Ordinance and Enemy Influence and Infiltration Control Ordinance (E&IMCO) for aiding or acting on behalf of enemy agencies.
The court observed that warrants issued against the accused could not be executed as they were allegedly absconding and evading arrest. The court said it was satisfied that the accused persons were concealing themselves to avoid the execution of warrants.
“ It stands established that a warrant of arrest has already been issued against the accused persons by this Court on 26.02.2026 and forwarded for execution through the police hierarchy. The reports of the executing agency, the field staff, the concerned police stations and the Section Officers, read with the statements of the Lambardars, Chowkidars, Ward Officers and respectable of the localities, unambiguously disclose that the accused are not residing at their native addresses and are deliberately concealing their presence so as to defeat the execution of the warrant and evade the process of law,” the Court observed.
“The requirements for issuance of a proclamation under Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 are thus fully attracted. Accordingly, the application is allowed. Let a proclamation under Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 be issued against the accused persons,” the Court order said.
The court has directed all four accused to appear before it on July 14 at 10 AM, failing which further legal action under law shall follow.
Salahuddin contested the 1987 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections on a Muslim United Front (MUF) ticket, polls widely alleged to have been rigged. Following his arrest and later release, he crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and went on to head the Hizbul Mujahideen and the United Jihad Council. Designated a global terrorist by the United States in 2017, Salahuddin now based in PoK, has been accused of orchestrating several terror attacks and funding insurgent activities in Jammu and Kashmir. |
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