NIA Chargesheets Shabir Shah, Five Hurriyat Leaders in 1996 Srinagar Violence Case

New Delhi, July 10: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against six senior Hurriyat Conference leaders, including Shabir Ahmad Shah, in connection with the 1996 Srinagar violence case involving alleged criminal conspiracy, mob violence and attacks on police personnel during a funeral procession.

The chargesheet was filed before the NIA Special Court in Jammu in a case linked to violence that erupted on July 17, 1996, during the funeral procession of slain militant Hilal Ahmad Beigh. The case was originally registered at Shergarhi Police Station in Srinagar and was taken over by the NIA in April 2026 on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Those named in the chargesheet are Shabir Ahmad Shah, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Ganie Lone, Mohd. Yaqoob Wakeel alias Mohd. Yaqoob Vakil, Javid Ahmad Mir and Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi.

The accused have been booked under various provisions of the Ranbir Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder, rioting and assault on public servants, besides Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

According to the NIA, proceedings against Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Ganie Lone and Mohd. Yaqoob Wakeel have abated following their deaths. However, the chargesheet details their alleged roles in the conspiracy and unlawful assembly based on evidence collected during the investigation.

The agency alleged that the accused led an unlawful assembly during the funeral procession and incited violence against police personnel at Naaz Crossing in Srinagar. It claimed that armed militants mixed with the procession and opened indiscriminate fire on police personnel, injuring several officers, while government vehicles were damaged during heavy stone-pelting.

The NIA further alleged that anti-India, pro-Pakistan and secessionist slogans were raised during the procession and inflammatory speeches advocating armed struggle were delivered. The agency said the violence was part of a pre-planned conspiracy to use the funeral procession to propagate separatist ideology, incite public disorder, mobilise support against the Government of India and demonstrate the organisational strength of the Hurriyat Conference.

The NIA said further investigation into the case is in progress. (Agencies)