New Delhi, July 10: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a chargesheet against six senior Hurriyat leaders in connection with a 1996 case relating to alleged mob violence and firing on police personnel during a funeral procession in Srinagar.
The chargesheet was filed before the NIA Special Court in Jammu in case RC-01/2026/NIA/JMU.
According to the NIA, those chargesheeted include Shabir Ahmad Shah, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Ganie Lone, Mohammad Yaqoob Wakeel, Javid Ahmad Mir and Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi.
The agency said the charges against Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Ganie Lone and Mohammad Yaqoob Wakeel stand abated owing to their deaths during the pendency of the proceedings. However, it claimed that the chargesheet establishes their alleged role in the conspiracy with supporting evidence.
According to the NIA, the accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Ranbir Penal Code for criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder, rioting and assault on public servants, along with Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The agency alleged that the accused led an unlawful assembly during the funeral procession of slain Hizbul Mujahideen member Hilal Ahmad Beigh at Naaz Crossing in Srinagar on July 17, 1996.
According to the chargesheet, armed militants had allegedly mingled with the procession and opened indiscriminate fire on police personnel, resulting in injuries to several policemen. Government vehicles were also allegedly damaged during heavy stone-pelting.
The NIA further alleged that the Hurriyat leaders had incited the gathering by raising anti-India, pro-Pakistan and secessionist slogans and delivered speeches advocating armed struggle.
According to the agency, its investigation found that the violence was part of an alleged pre-planned conspiracy aimed at using the funeral procession to propagate separatist ideology, mobilise public support against the Government of India, provoke public disorder and incite violence against law enforcement agencies.
The case was originally registered at Police Station Shergarhi, Srinagar, on July 17, 1996. The Ministry of Home Affairs transferred the investigation to the NIA in April 2026.
The agency said further investigation into the case is continuing. [KNT]
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