In a significant move, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have attached multiple properties belonging to former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association president Mian Abdul Qayoom under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The action represents a major escalation in the ongoing legal proceedings against the prominent lawyer.
Properties Seized in Srinagar Operation
The police operation targeted three specific properties owned by Qayoom in the capital city of Srinagar. According to official documents, the attached assets include a residential house in the posh Rambagh area and two commercial properties situated in the city's prime locations. The properties have been officially sealed as part of the investigation.
This enforcement action follows specific orders from a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court that granted permission for the property attachment. The court had previously issued orders allowing the police to take this drastic step as part of their ongoing investigation into Qayoom's alleged activities.
Legal Background and UAPA Charges
Mian Abdul Qayoom, who served as the president of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association for many years, has been under investigation for his alleged involvement in activities deemed unlawful under the stringent anti-terrorism legislation. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act provides authorities with broad powers to detain individuals and seize properties suspected of being used for terrorist activities.
The case against Qayoom has been developing over several years, with authorities alleging that he has been involved in funding and supporting activities that threaten the security and integrity of the region. The property attachment represents one of the most visible actions taken against him to date.
Legal experts familiar with the case suggest that property attachment under UAPA typically occurs when investigators believe the assets in question were either used for unlawful activities or were acquired through funds obtained from such activities. This represents a significant development in the government's approach to dealing with alleged terror financing in the region.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings and Implications
The property seizure comes amid ongoing legal proceedings against Qayoom, who has been a controversial figure in Jammu and Kashmir's legal and political circles for decades. His supporters have consistently maintained that he is being targeted for his political beliefs and his outspoken nature on various issues concerning the region.
Meanwhile, security officials have described this action as a necessary step in their fight against terrorism and its funding networks. They argue that stringent measures like property attachment are essential to dismantle the economic infrastructure that supports unlawful activities in the sensitive region.
The development has sparked mixed reactions within the legal community and among human rights organizations. While some have praised the move as a necessary step toward maintaining national security, others have expressed concerns about the use of anti-terror laws against legal professionals and activists.
As the legal battle continues, all eyes remain on the special NIA court that is overseeing the case. The outcome of these proceedings could have far-reaching implications for how anti-terror laws are applied in similar cases across the country.
