Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a chargesheet against six senior Hurriyat Conference leaders, including Shabir Ahmad Shah, in connection with a 1996 case relating to alleged mob violence, firing on police personnel and anti-India activities during a funeral procession in Srinagar.
The chargesheet, filed before the NIA Special Court in Jammu, names Shabir Ahmad Shah, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Ganie Lone, Mohd Yaqoob Wakeel alias Mohd Yaqoob Vakil, Javid Ahmad Mir and Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi as accused.
According to the NIA, the accused have been charged under relevant provisions of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), 1989, including criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder, rioting and assault on public servants, along with Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The agency said proceedings against Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Ganie Lone and Mohd Yaqoob Wakeel have been abated following their deaths. It, however, said the chargesheet details their alleged roles in the conspiracy and unlawful assembly based on evidence collected during the investigation.
The case pertains to an incident on July 17, 1996, during the funeral procession of slain militant Hilal Ahmad Beigh at Naaz Crossing in Srinagar.
The NIA alleged that the six Hurriyat leaders jointly led the procession and incited violence against police personnel. According to the agency, armed militants mingled with the procession and opened indiscriminate fire on police, injuring several personnel, while government vehicles were damaged during heavy stone-pelting.
The agency further alleged that the accused raised anti-India, pro-Pakistan and secessionist slogans and delivered speeches advocating armed struggle.
According to the investigation, the violence was part of a pre-planned 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 and incite violence against law enforcement agencies, while demonstrating the Hurriyat’s organisational strength in Jammu and Kashmir.
The case, registered as RC-01/2026/NIA/JMU, was originally filed at Shergarhi Police Station, Srinagar, on the day of the incident in 1996. The Ministry of Home Affairs transferred the investigation to the NIA in April 2026.
The NIA said further investigation into the case is continuing.
