Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 23: A Special NIA Court in Jammu on Saturday ordered the framing of charges against three men accused of conspiring with a Pakistan-based handler to kill two non-local labourers in Srinagar in February this year.
Additional Sessions Judge (designated under the NIA Act) Sandeep Gandotra held that prima facie material existed to prosecute Adil Manzoor Langoo, Ahran Rasool Dar alias Tata, and Dawood under stringent provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Arms Act.
The charges arise from the February 7, 2024 attack in Shaheed Gunj, Srinagar, where two labourers - Amrit Pal Singh and Rohit Massi, both from Punjab - were shot at close range. Singh died on the spot, while Massi succumbed to injuries the next day. The assailants, the NIA alleged, sought to revive militancy and spread fear among non-locals working in Kashmir.
According to the chargesheet, Langoo (A1) became radicalised in 2023 after reading jihadist literature such as Milestones by Ayoub Qutub and consuming extremist content online. Through a Telegram group called Kashmir Fighters, he came in contact with Jahangir alias Peer Sahab (A4), a handler based across the border, who directed him to collect a pistol and ammunition from Bemina in January 2024.
On February 7, Langoo allegedly executed the attack using the weapon, while Dar (A2) and Dawood (A3) provided logistical support, assisted in concealment of arms, and attempted to destroy evidence. Forensic examination confirmed Langoo's DNA on the seized pistol. CCTV footage, protected witness testimonies, and call records further linked the accused to the crime.
Special Public Prosecutor K.S. Pathania submitted that the accused had acted in concert with a Pakistani handler of Lashkar-e-Taiba/TRF to wage war against the State. He relied upon forensic reports, DVR analyses, and witness statements to argue that sufficient material existed to frame charges.
Defence counsels - Advocate I.H. Bhat for Langoo, Advocate F.A. Wani for Dar, and Advocate A.M. Dar for Dawood - countered that the accused had been falsely implicated. They argued that the book Milestones was not a banned text, that disclosure statements before police were inadmissible, and that no direct evidence of conspiracy was produced.
Rejecting these submissions, the court held that "cumulative evidence on record raises grave suspicion" and warranted a full trial.
The court directed that the accused face trial under Sections 302 (murder), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the IPC; Sections 16, 18, 20 and 23 of the UAPA; and Section 7/27 of the Arms Act.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has already granted sanction for prosecution under the UAPA, while sanction under the Arms Act was obtained from the District Magistrate, Srinagar. (JNF) |
