Shabir Shah among 6 Hurriyat leaders charged in 1996 Srinagar violence case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has chargesheeted six senior leaders of the separatist Hurriyat Conference in connection with a 1996 case involving mob violence and attacks on police personnel during a funeral procession in Srinagar, the agency said on Friday.

The chargesheet was filed before the NIA Special Court in Jammu against Shabir Ahmad Shah, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Ganie Lone, Mohammad Yaqoob Wakeel alias Mohammad Yaqoob Vakil, Javid Ahmad Mir and Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi.

The accused have been booked under provisions of the erstwhile 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 (UAPA).

The agency said proceedings against Geelani, Lone and Wakeel have abated because they died during the course of the case. However, it said the chargesheet details their alleged roles in the conspiracy and the unlawful assembly, backed by evidence collected during the investigation.

According to the NIA, the six leaders led a procession on July 17, 1996, during the funeral of slain terrorist Hilal Ahmad Beigh at Naaz Crossing in Srinagar, where they instigated violence against police personnel.

MINGLED IN THE FUNERAL AND OPENED FIRE

The agency alleged that armed terrorists had mingled with the funeral procession and opened indiscriminate fire on police, injuring several personnel. Government vehicles were also damaged in heavy stone-pelting during the incident.

The NIA further alleged that the Hurriyat leaders raised 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 a pre-planned conspiracy to use the funeral procession to promote separatist ideology, mobilise public support against the Centre, provoke public disorder and incite attacks on law enforcement agencies while demonstrating the Hurriyat's influence in Jammu and Kashmir.

The case was originally registered at Shergarhi Police Station in Srinagar on the day of the incident. The NIA took over the investigation in April 2026 following directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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