JAMMU: A special court designated under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act in Srinagar has issued a proclamation against four accused persons including Hizbul Mujahideen Chief Syed Salahuddin. The proclamation was issued on Wednesday in a 1996 terrorism-related case after they allegedly failed to appear before the court.
The proclamation was issued by the Court of Additional Sessions Judge TADA/POTA and Special Judge designated under the NIA Act. The accused have been identified as Mohammad Yousuf Shah alias Syed Salahuddin of Soibugh Budgam, Ghulam Nabi Khan alias Amir Khan of Anantnag, Sher Mohammad alias Bahadur alias Riyaz of Bandipora, and Nasir Yousuf Qadri of Bemina Srinagar.
The proclamation was issued by Additional Sessions Judge, TADA/POTA Manjeet Rai, in connection with FIR No. 05/1996 registered at Police Station CIK Srinagar under Sections 121 and 121-A of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) pertaining to waging war and conspiracy against the State; Sections 153-A and 153-B related to promoting enmity and prejudicial assertions against national integration; Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for unlawful activities; and Sections 2 and 3 of the Enemy Agents Ordinance and Enemy Influence and Infiltration Control Ordinance (E&IMCO) for aiding or acting on behalf of enemy agencies.
The court observed that warrants issued against the accused could not be executed as they were allegedly absconding and evading arrest. The court said it was satisfied that the accused persons were concealing themselves to avoid the execution of warrants.
Anti-India Activities of Accused
“…It stands established that a warrant of arrest has already been issued against the accused persons by this Court on 26.02.2026 and forwarded for execution through the police hierarchy. The reports of the executing agency, the field staff, the concerned police stations and the Section Officers, read with the statements of the Lambardars, Chowkidars, Ward Officers and respectable of the localities, unambiguously disclose that the accused are not residing at their native addresses and are deliberately concealing their presence so as to defeat the execution of the warrant and evade the process of law,” the court observed.
“The requirements for issuance of a proclamation under Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, are thus fully attracted. Accordingly, the application is allowed.
“Let a proclamation under Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 be issued against the accused persons,” the Court order said.
The court has directed all four accused to appear before it on July 14 at 10 AM, failing which further legal action under law shall follow.
Syed Salahuddin’s Background as MUF Candidate
In 1987, Mohammad Yousuf Shah (alias Syed Salahuddin was assumed much later) contested on a Muslim United Front (MUF) ticket as a candidate from Batmaloo constituency in Srinagar. It was during those days that he came in touch with late Syed Ali Shah Geelani, JKLF chief Yasin Malik and more such people.
After losing that election to a National Conference candidate, Mohammad Yousuf Shah alleged poll rigging and later crossed over to Pakistan. He then became involved with terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) which was armed heavily by Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). At one time, HM was the most dominant terrorist group operating in Jammu & Kashmir. Shah was given the name of Syed Salahuddin by his ISI handlers and he later became the HM chief.
