SIA Files Chargesheet Against Mian Qayoom in Advocate Babar Qadri Murder Case

Jammu, December 19, 2024: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir has filed a supplementary chargesheet against Mian Abdul Qayoom, senior lawyer and former President of the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) Kashmir, in connection with the murder of Advocate Babar Qadri. The chargesheet was submitted before the 3rd Additional Sessions Judge (Special Judge under Section 22 NIA Act) in Jammu.

Advocate Babar Qadri, a promising young lawyer from Srinagar, was tragically killed at his residence in Zahidpura (Hawal), Srinagar, on September 24, 2020. On that day, three individuals posing as clients visited his home under the pretext of discussing a legal matter. While one waited outside, the other two, carrying a dummy case file, were seated in the verandah. When Qadri came out to meet them, he was fatally shot. Despite being rushed to SKIMS Soura, Srinagar, he succumbed to his injuries en route.

An initial investigation led to the registration of Case FIR No.62/2020 under various sections of the IPC, Arms Act, and UAPA at Police Station Lalbazar, Srinagar. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed, which filed a chargesheet against six accused individuals on May 6, 2021, before the Special NIA Court in Srinagar.

Further investigation was subsequently transferred to the SIA, which constituted a new SIT to delve deeper into the conspiracy behind the murder. Based on substantial evidence, Mian Qayoom was arrested on June 25, 2024, identified as the principal conspirator. The investigation revealed that Qayoom, due to hostile relations with Qadri, orchestrated his elimination through terrorists of The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy outfit of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), with support from handlers in Pakistan.

Qadri was known for challenging Qayoom’s leadership within the HCBA and criticizing the use of the association for secessionist agendas. He had established a dissident group, the Kashmir Lawyers Club, attracting many young lawyers, and was considering contesting the upcoming Bar elections against Qayoom. These actions reportedly antagonized Qayoom, leading to threats against Qadri.

Notably, on the day of his murder, Qadri expressed fears for his life during a Facebook Live session, mentioning potential threats from Qayoom and his associates. Tragically, he was killed just hours later.

Mian Qayoom has a history of anti-national activities, with several cases registered against him. He is known for treating the HCBA Kashmir as his domain and aligning it with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC). During major unrests post-2008 in Kashmir, he was at the forefront of anti-India demonstrations, with his shutdown calls coinciding with those issued by the APHC. He was closely associated with the late Syed Ali Shah Geelani, whom he regarded as his political mentor. Qayoom has openly declared in court that he neither considers himself a citizen of India nor believes in the Indian Constitution.

The SIA’s supplementary chargesheet comprises 340 pages, detailing offenses under sections 302, 120-B, 109 IPC, and sections 13, 18, 18-B, 38, 39 of the UAPA. The initial chargesheet was filed in Srinagar; however, in December 2023, the High Court transferred the trial to Jammu, citing interference in the judicial process by Qayoom and intimidation of the deceased’s family. Qayoom is currently lodged in District Jail Amphalla, Jammu.