Detained KU student’s career at stake, family seeks VC’s intervention

SHOPIAN — The family of a Kashmiri student, who was booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) last month, has appealed Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University to use his good offices so that Aqib Malik could be set free from Central Jail Srinagar.

Aqib Ahmad Malik (26), a 2nd semester student of Biochemistry at Kashmir University, was summoned by police at Nigeen police station in Srinagar on July 24 for questioning in a case registered in 2018.

Malik, who hails from Pinjura village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, was detained in Police station Nigeen and subsequently booked under UAPA, a law used to book militants.

Bilal Ahmed, uncle of Aqib, said that from Nigeen Police Station, Aqib was shifted to Srinagar Central Jail. He said on August 25, the hearing of his case was postponed due to absence of Judge in the court.

“He was punished for his activism at University of Kashmir. We met VC Kashmir University and he assured us of all possible help but so for he did nothing. He is languishing in Central Jail Srinagar and his career is at stake,” his uncle said, holding University administration responsible for his arrest.

He said Auqib was arrested because he always raised his voice against the corruption in University and even one of the Proctors got him arrested after an argument. “We bailed him out after two days from Central Jail Srinagar that time,” he said.

He sought intervention of Vice Chancellor so that career of Auqib could be saved.