The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a chargesheet against Shabir Ahmad Shah and five other Hurriyat Conference leaders in connection with a 1996 case relating to mob violence, attacks on police personnel and an alleged criminal conspiracy.
The chargesheet was submitted before the NIA Special Court in Jammu in connection with a case originally registered at Shergarhi Police Station, Srinagar, after a violent incident that had taken place during the funeral procession of militant Hilal Ahmad Beigh on July 17, 1996.
According to the NIA, those named in the chargesheet include Shabir Ahmad Shah, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Gani Lone, Mohammad Yaqoob Wakeel alias Mohd Yaqoob Vakil, Javid Ahmad Mir, and Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi.
The accused have been booked under various sections of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), 1989, including charges of criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder, rioting and assault on public servants, besides Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The agency stated that due to the death of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Gani Lone, and Mohd Yaqoob Wakeel, proceedings against them have been abated, while the chargesheet against the others has been filed.
According to the chargesheet, the six Hurriyat leaders allegedly led an unlawful assembly during the funeral procession and incited large-scale violence against police personnel at Naaz Crossing in Srinagar.
The chargesheet further alleged that the violence was part of a pre-planned criminal conspiracy to use the funeral procession as a platform to propagate separatist ideology.
The case, registered as RC-01/2026/NIA/JMU, was taken over by the NIA in April 2026 on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs after initially being investigated by the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Also read: Sarla Bhat murder case: SIA to file chargesheet against Malik
Follow us
