Court orders attachment of US-based Fai’s property in Budgam

Srinagar, Dec 23: A special court designated under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has ordered the attachment of immovable property belonging to United States-based separatist leader Ghulam Nabi Fai under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Fai, 76, a US citizen, is originally from Wadwan village in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

He heads the Kashmir World Forum for Peace and Justice and has been living abroad for several decades.

After completing his bachelor’s degree in Kashmir, Fai left the Valley in the 1970s, first moving to Saudi Arabia and later settling in the United States, where he acquired citizenship in the early 1990s.

According to officials, the Special NIA Court in Budgam ordered the attachment of land measuring slightly over one-and-a-half kanals (around 0.2 acres) owned by Fai in Budgam district.

In its order, the court said that Fai failed to cooperate with the investigation.

“This court is satisfied from the record that the accused, despite being given an opportunity to appear before the investigating officer, has deliberately and intentionally concealed himself,” the Special Judge (NIA) observed. “As such, this court is constrained to issue an order for attachment of property.”

The court directed the District Collector, Budgam, to attach and take immediate possession of Fai’s immovable property located in Wadwan and Chattabugh villages.

It also instructed the district administration to identify and demarcate the land prior to attachment.

The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Budgam, has been directed to provide necessary assistance during the process, if required.

In May this year, the same court had declared Fai a proclaimed offender in connection with a case registered by the Police in 2020 under the UAPA.

At that time, the court had granted him 30 days to appear before law enforcement agencies, which he failed to do.

Fai founded the Kashmir American Council along with members of the Kashmiri diaspora to lobby internationally on the Kashmir issue.

In 2011, he was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US for acting as an unregistered foreign agent and concealing foreign funding.

He was later convicted and sentenced to two years in prison.

Officials said the attachment of property is part of ongoing legal proceedings against individuals accused of involvement in activities deemed unlawful under Indian law.

Meanwhile, J&K Police described Fai as a Pakistani agent and ISI’s financial conduit.

“Property of Pakistani agent and ISI’s financial conduit and proclaimed offender, Ghulam Nabi Shah alias Dr Fai, accused in FIR No 46/2020, under various sections of UAPA, PS Budgam, has been attached consequent to orders of the competent authority,” J&K Police posted on microblogging site X.