NIA Court Attaches Property of US-Based Kashmiri Lobbyist

Srinagar, Dec 23: A special NIA court in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday ordered the attachment of more than 1.5 kanals of land belonging to US-based Kashmiri lobbyist Ghulam Nabi Shah alias “Dr Fai”, who has been declared an absconder in a terror-related case.

The order was passed by Judge Yahaya Firdous after the Assistant Public Prosecutor, Mohammad Iqbal Rather, moved an application seeking attachment of Fai’s property under Section 83 of the Criminal Procedure Code, corresponding to Section 85 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The plea cited that the accused had already been declared an absconder in a case registered in 2020 under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

In its seven-page order, the court directed the District Collector, Budgam, to attach the immovable property comprising one kanal and two marlas of land under Khewat No. 60, Survey No. 466 at village Wadwan, and 11 marlas of land under Khewat No. 136, Survey No. 343 at village Chattabugh, and take possession of the same forthwith.

The court further ordered that before attachment, the district collector must ensure the involvement of revenue authorities to properly identify and demarcate the land. It also directed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Budgam, to provide necessary assistance to the collector, if required, during the attachment process. (Agencies)