A special court in Jammu and Kashmir has taken a significant step in a long-pending terror case by issuing a non-bailable arrest warrant against the Pakistan-based chief of the militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, Mohammad Yousuf Shah, widely known as Syed Salahuddin. The court declared him an absconder, stating he is evading arrest in connection with a case originally registered by the police back in 2012.
Court Cites Strong Evidence for Warrant
Special Judge (NIA) for Budgam, Yahaya Firdous, issued the warrant after examining the case diary. The judge noted that the investigating officer had gathered sufficient prima facie evidence linking the accused to offences under specific sections of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
"The shadow of the case diary was also called and perused, and it suggests that the Investigating Officer has collected sufficient evidence which prima facie connects the accused Shah for the commission of crime," the judge stated in the order. The court was informed that the original case diary has been sent to the competent authority to obtain sanction for filing a chargesheet, paving the way for a potential trial in absentia.
Convinced that the Hizb supremo is deliberately avoiding the legal process, the judge directed the Jammu and Kashmir Police to execute the warrant and arrest him.
From Political Candidate to Designated Global Terrorist
Syed Salahuddin's journey is deeply intertwined with the turmoil in Kashmir. He was once a political candidate, having contested the 1987 assembly elections in the Valley. However, as militancy erupted, he exfiltrated to Pakistan in 1990.
In Pakistan, he quickly rose to become the chief of Hizbul Mujahideen, which was then the largest militant group in the region. His influence expanded further when he was made the chairman of the United Jihad Council, an umbrella organization of various militant outfits operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
His activities led to international and national designations. In 2017, the United States designated him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. Following suit, India's Ministry of Home Affairs in 2020 officially designated him as a terrorist under the UAPA.
Family Repercussions and Legal Actions
The legal and administrative actions have extended to Salahuddin's family as well. The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, terminated the government services of his three sons – Shahid Yousuf, Shakeel Yousuf, and Mueed Yousuf – under a clause that allows dismissal without a formal inquiry.
Furthermore, two of the sons, Shahid and Shakeel Yousuf, have been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a separate case related to terror funding. These moves underscore the continuing crackdown on networks associated with militancy in the region.
The issuance of the non-bailable warrant marks a renewed effort by Indian authorities to bring the Hizbul Mujahideen chief to justice, even as he remains out of reach in Pakistan. The case highlights the long-standing legal processes aimed at tackling militancy-related cases in Kashmir.
