Srinagar, June 10, KDC: A Special Court designated under the NIA Act in Srinagar on Wednesday issued a proclamation against Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin and three other accused in connection with a 1996 militancy-related case registered by Police Station CIK Srinagar, directing them to appear before the court by July 14, 2026.
The proclamation has been issued against Mohammad Yousuf Shah alias Syed Salah-ud-Din, son of Ghulam Rasool Shah and a resident of Soibugh in Budgam district, who is the chief of the proscribed terrorist organisation Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Ghulam Nabi Khan alias Amir Khan, son of Ghulam Rasool Khan, a resident of Liver Srigufwara in Anantnag, is Deputy Supreme Commander of Hizb, Sher Mohammad alias Bahadur alias Riyaz, son of Sher Ahmad, a resident of Malangam in Bandipora, is also a commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen; and Nasir Yousuf Qadri, son of Mohammad Yousuf Qadri, originally from Sheeltang Dar Mohalla in Habba Kadal and presently residing at Abu-Baker Colony, Bemina, Srinagar, who is associated with the proscribed organisation and involved in furthering its propaganda and terror narrative machinery.
According to the court order, the accused are facing charges under various provisions of the erstwhile RPC, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and E&IMCO in FIR No. 05/1996 registered at CIK Srinagar. The prosecution informed the court that despite issuance of arrest warrants and sustained efforts by police agencies, the accused could not be traced and were evading arrest.
Court records state that the case was registered following information received by CIK Srinagar in April 1996 alleging that Pakistani intelligence agencies were motivating Kashmiri youth to join militant outfits and undergo training across the border. The prosecution alleged that Syed Salahuddin was at the forefront of delivering provocative speeches and motivating youth for the purpose.
After examining the material placed before it, the court, according to news agency Kashmir Dot Com, observed that warrants issued against the accused remained unexecuted and reports from police authorities, field staff and local officials indicated that the accused were absconding and concealing their whereabouts.
Holding that the statutory requirements for issuance of a proclamation under Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 had been met, the court ordered proclamation proceedings against all four accused and directed them to appear before the court on or before July 14, 2026.
The court further directed that the proclamation be published in accordance with law and served through the prescribed procedure