Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suspended its Pulwama district president, Er Syed Showkat Gayoor Andrabi, following the registration of an FIR alleging extortion, criminal intimidation and obstruction of authorised work.
According to a suspension order issued on Tuesday by BJP J&K General Secretary Mohammad Anwar Khan, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Andrabi on the recommendation of the party’s Disciplinary Committee chairman, Advocate Sunil Sethi, and in consultation with J&K BJP president Sat Sharma.
The order stated that, pending the finalisation of the disciplinary proceedings, Andrabi has been suspended from all organisational posts and responsibilities in the party, including his position as district president, Pulwama, with immediate effect.
The action follows an FIR registered at Police Station Pulwama on the basis of a complaint filed by a contractor. According to the complaint, Andrabi allegedly obstructed authorised soil extraction and transportation work on multiple occasions and demanded money to allow the work to continue.
The complaint further alleged that workers were threatened with the invocation of the Public Safety Act if they did not comply.
Police have registered the case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to wrongful restraint, extortion, attempted extortion, criminal intimidation and intentional insult. An Assistant Sub-Inspector-rank officer has been assigned to investigate the matter, according to details of the FIR.
Prominent BJP Face in South Kashmir
Andrabi has been a prominent BJP leader in South Kashmir and has held a key organisational position in Pulwama. The BJP’s official J&K website currently lists him as the party’s Pulwama district president.
He contested the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections from the Pampore constituency as a BJP candidate. He had joined the BJP only a few months before the elections, and his candidature had generated considerable discussion within the party’s South Kashmir unit.
Following the elections, Andrabi continued to play an active role in the BJP’s organisational activities in Pulwama and participated in several party programmes.
In June this year, he attended a district-level BJP training programme in Pulwama alongside senior party leaders, including J&K BJP president Sat Sharma and General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul.
His suspension now comes as a significant setback for a leader who had been involved in strengthening the BJP’s organisational presence in the district.
Party Cites Discipline and Integrity
The BJP, in its suspension order, reiterated its commitment to maintaining high standards of discipline, integrity and morality in public life.
The disciplinary action will remain in force pending the outcome of the proceedings initiated against Andrabi.
The development comes amid increased scrutiny of organisational discipline within the BJP’s J&K unit, with the party recently taking action against several members in other districts over alleged violations of party norms.
However, the allegations against Andrabi remain part of an ongoing police investigation and internal disciplinary proceedings. They have not been established by a court, and Andrabi remains entitled to due process under law.
