Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir has filed a supplementary chargesheet against Mian Abdul Qayoom, senior lawyer and former president of the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) Kashmir, in the 2020 murder case of young lawyer Babar Qadri.
Babar Qadri was shot dead at his residence in Srinagar on September 24, 2020, by three terrorists posing as clients. An SIT investigation led to the arrest of six people in 2021. The case was later transferred to SIA J&K, which arrested Qayoom in June 2024, naming him as the principal conspirator.
According to SIA, Qayoom had strained relations with Qadri due to the latter’s criticism of Qayoom’s role in the HCBA and his secessionist agenda. Qadri’s plans to contest bar elections further angered Qayoom, leading to alleged threats. Hours before his murder, Qadri went live on Facebook, expressing fear of being killed by Qayoom and his associates.
The SIA claims Qayoom conspired with The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), to execute Qadri’s killing. Qayoom allegedly converted the HCBA into a Hurriyat Conference wing and had close ties with separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
The 340-page supplementary chargesheet was filed before a Special Judge in Jammu, where the trial was shifted in December 2023 due to alleged interference in judicial proceedings and intimidation of Qadri’s family. Qayoom remains in custody at Jammu’s Amphalla Jail.
Further investigation under CrPC Section 173(8) is ongoing.
