NIA court extends former J&K Bar Association President’s remand in Qadri murder case

JAMMU — A designated NIA court in Jammu extended the police remand of former Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association President Mian Abdul Qayoom by six days by a designated NIA court.

Police has arrested Qayoom on June 25 for his alleged involvement in the murder conspiracy of advocate Babar Qadri in 2020.

Qadri, a human rights lawyer, was shot at his residence in September 2020 and police announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for information about his killers.

During the court hearing today, the judge said that the investigation is still at an initial stage and further remand of the accused is necessary for the progress of the case. “After considering the rival submissions of the parties, perusal of the latest entries in the case diary and giving thoughtful consideration to the matter, it is noticed that investigation of the case…is still at an initial stage.”

“Therefore, his further detention in the custody of the police is imperative as the investigation agency is required to be afforded an opportunity to elicit all the possible information from the accused for further progress of the investigation,” third additional district and sessions judge (TADA/POTA) Jatinder Singh Jamwal said in his two-page order.

Qayoom, who himself argued his case, opposed the extension of his police remand and raised concerns about his health conditions and need for regular medical care.

The prosecution argued in the court that the accused is not cooperating fully during the investigation and further detention is essential to gather more information about the case. However, the court granted the extension of his police remand until July 6, directing adequate medical care for the accused.

The former HCBA president also resisted the extension of period of police remand on the grounds that it was on January 20 that he was summoned by the investigation agency in the case and thereafter he regularly attended and fully cooperated with the investigation agency till he was arrested.

Police have also conducted searches at Qayoom’s residences in August 2022 and other two lawyers in Srinagar, seizing various digital devices, bank statements and documents, as part of the ongoing probe.