The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir has filed a 737-page chargesheet against five members of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in connection with the abduction and murder of a Kashmiri Pandit nurse 36 years ago. The chargesheet was submitted in a special court in Srinagar on June 29, 2026, marking a significant step in the long-pending case.
Details of the Crime
According to the investigation, the victim, Shanti Bhat, was a nurse at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS). She was abducted on April 18, 1990, from her residence in Srinagar. The abductors, identified as JKLF members, tortured her and later shot her dead in Omer Colony, Malbagh, Srinagar. The case remained unresolved for decades, with the SIA reopening the investigation in recent years.
Chargesheet and Accused
The chargesheet names five JKLF members, who are currently in custody or have been identified during the probe. They face charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including murder, abduction, and criminal conspiracy, as well as provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The SIA stated that the accused were part of a coordinated attack targeting the Kashmiri Pandit community during the early 1990s insurgency.
Impact and Reactions
The filing of the chargesheet has been welcomed by the Kashmiri Pandit community, who have long demanded justice for the victims of targeted violence during the insurgency. A spokesperson for the community said, "This is a long-awaited step towards accountability. We hope the trial proceeds swiftly and delivers justice." The SIA has also gathered forensic evidence and witness testimonies to strengthen the case.
