The former president of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Mian Abdul Qayoom, has been arrested by the State Investigation Agency (SIA) in connection with the 2020 murder of advocate Babar Qadri. Qadri was shot dead at his residence in Srinagar by two unidentified men posing as clients.
Key Takeaways
- Mian Abdul Qayoom, former president of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, has been arrested in connection with the 2020 murder of advocate Babar Qadri.
- Babar Qadri was shot dead at his Srinagar residence by two unidentified men posing as clients.
- The State Investigation Agency (SIA) is handling the case, which was initially investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
- Qayoom has been detained multiple times in the past and has a history of political involvement.
The Arrest
Mian Abdul Qayoom was arrested on Tuesday morning after being summoned to the SIA office in Humhama, Srinagar. The arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into the murder of Babar Qadri, a vocal critic of the High Court Bar Association and its leadership.
The Murder of Babar Qadri
In September 2020, Babar Qadri was killed inside his home in Srinagar. Two unidentified men, posing as clients, shot him as he came out to meet them. The police registered a case under multiple sections, including murder and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
Investigation and Developments
- A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was initially formed to probe the murder.
- The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be a shadow group of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), was named responsible for the killing.
- Saqib Manzoor, a TRF militant, was identified as a key suspect but was killed in a gunfight in 2021.
- The case was later transferred to the State Investigation Agency (SIA).
- In 2023, the SIA announced a reward of ₹10 lakh for information leading to the arrest of those involved in Qadri’s murder.
Previous Raids and Seizures
In 2022, police raided the residences of Qayoom and two other lawyers, seizing digital devices and documents. These raids were part of the ongoing investigation into Qadri’s murder.
Qayoom’s Background
Mian Abdul Qayoom has served as the president of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association for several terms. He has been detained multiple times in the past, including under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Qayoom is also the father-in-law of Justice Javed Iqbal Wani, a sitting judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
Political Involvement
Qayoom has been associated with pro-Pakistan separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and has represented the Bar Association in the Hurriyat Conference. His political activities have often been a point of contention within the Bar Association.
Future Proceedings
The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as Qayoom undergoes questioning. The case has been transferred to a Jammu court to ensure a fair and impartial trial.
The arrest of Mian Abdul Qayoom marks a significant development in the long-standing investigation into the murder of Babar Qadri, a case that has seen multiple twists and turns over the past few years.
Sources
- Jammu and Kashmir HC Bar Association ex-president Mian Abdul Qayoom arrested in 2020 Babar Qadri murder case | India News – The Indian Express, The Indian Express.
- Former Jammu & Kashmir High Court Bar President Mian Qayoom arrested in murder case, Bar and Bench.
- Former JKHCBA president Mian Qayoom arrested in Babar Qadri murder case – Greater Kashmir, Greater Kashmir.
- Former J&K Bar Association President Arrested In Advocate Murder Case – Daily Excelsior, Daily Excelsior.
- Jammu and Kashmir Police Arrest Mian Qayoom in Babar Qadri Murder Case, Kashmir Life.