NIA Chargesheets Shabir Ahmed Shah, 5 Other Hurriyat Leaders In 1996 Srinagar Mob Violence Case
NIA Chargesheets Shabir Ahmed Shah, 5 Other Hurriyat Leaders In 1996 Srinagar Mob Violence Case Published By, Last Updated: July 10, 2026, 14:54 IST The
NIA Chargesheets Shabir Ahmed Shah, 5 Other Hurriyat Leaders In 1996 Srinagar Mob Violence Case Published By, Last Updated: July 10, 2026, 14:54 IST The FIR was initially registered at Shergarhi Police Station in Srinagar on the day of the incident. The NIA took over the probe in April 2026 following directions from the MHA. Rapid Read Shabir Shah was arrested in connection with the case in April 2026 after he was granted bail in separate terror-funding cases being investigated by the NIA. (PTI Photo) The Investigation Agency (NIA) has chargesheeted six senior leaders of the separatist Hurriyat Conference in connection with a 1996 case involving mob violence and indiscriminate firing on police personnel in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The chargesheet was filed on Friday before the NIA Special Court in Jammu against Kashmiri separatist leaders Shabir Ahmad Shah, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Ganie Lone, Mohd.
Yaqoob Wakeel alias Mohd. Yaqoob Vakil, Javid Ahmad Mir and Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi. All six have been charged under relevant provisions of the Ranbir Penal Code, 1989, for criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder, rioting, and assault on public servants, along with Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The charges against Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Ganie Lone and Mohd. Yaqoob Wakeel stand abated as they died during the pendency of the proceedings. However, the NIA said the chargesheet clearly establishes their roles in the alleged criminal conspiracy and the common object of the unlawful assembly, supported by evidence. According to the NIA, its investigation found that all six accused had led an unlawful assembly and instigated large-scale violence against police personnel during the funeral procession of slain terrorist Hilal Ahmad Beigh at Naaz Crossing in Srinagar on July 17, 1996. The agency alleged that armed terrorists, who had blended into the procession jointly led by the accused Hurriyat leaders, opened indiscriminate fire at police personnel during the violence, injuring several police officials.
Government vehicles were also extensively damaged in heavy stone-pelting. According to the NIA’s findings in case RC-01/2026/NIA/JMU, the chargesheeted Hurriyat leaders actively incited the violence by raising anti-India, pro-Pakistan and secessionist slogans. The agency further alleged that they delivered inflammatory speeches advocating armed struggle. The NIA said its investigation established that the violence was part of a larger, pre-planned criminal conspiracy by the Hurriyat leadership to use the funeral procession as a platform to propagate separatist ideology, mobilise public support against the Government of India, provoke public disorder, incite violence against law enforcement agencies, and demonstrate the Hurriyat’s strength in Jammu and Kashmir. An FIR in the case was initially registered at Shergarhi Police Station in Srinagar on the day of the incident. The NIA took over the investigation in April 2026 on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The investigation is underway. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad.
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