J&K Police’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) on November 20, raided the Jammu office of Kashmir Times, alleging the newspaper’s involvement in “anti-national activities” and attempts to spread disaffection against the Indian state.
According to officials, the SIA has registered a First Information Report (FIR) naming the paper’s Executive Editor, Anuradha Bhasin, on charges linked to activities that purportedly “threaten the sovereignty of India.” The agency said the operation forms part of its ongoing offensive against terror financing, separatist networks and what it describes as the misuse of platforms to promote seditious narratives.
Sources told Kashmir News Corner (KNC) that SIA teams entered the newspaper’s premises early in the morning and conducted a multi-hour search. Investigators reportedly scrutinised office records, hard drives, computers and other digital devices, examining editorial and administrative sections in detail. Eyewitnesses said officers moved through multiple rooms, collecting documents and electronic data that will undergo forensic analysis.
#BREAKING: J&K Police SIA raids Kashmir Times newspaper office in Jammu for indulging in anti national activities and spreading disaffection against the country and threatening sovereignty. SIA FIR names Anuradha Bhasin, Editor of Kashmir Times who is likely to be quizzed for her… pic.twitter.com/4AIFSFrvKQ
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) November 20, 2025
The SIA’s move is being viewed as the sharpest escalation yet in the government’s actions against the 70-year-old newspaper one of J&K’s oldest English-language publications, founded in 1954.
Over its decades-long journey, Kashmir Times earned prominence for its reportage across both Jammu and the Valley and for taking editorial stances critical of state authorities and the Centre. Its founding editor, Ved Bhasin, was widely respected as a public intellectual and a vocal advocate of dialogue, civil liberties and political reconciliation. The newspaper continued to build on this legacy under Anuradha Bhasin, who has been a prominent voice on human rights, conflict reporting and press freedom.
Bhasin gained national attention in 2019 when she approached the Supreme Court challenging the communication blackout that followed the abrogation of Article 370. The ruling in her case became a landmark affirmation that indefinite internet restrictions are unconstitutional.
The newspaper has faced growing administrative pressure in recent years, including the controversial sealing of its Srinagar office in 2020.
Investigating officers said further questioning, detailed interrogation and comprehensive forensic evaluation of seized materials will follow. The Kashmir Times management has not yet issued an official statement regarding the police action.
