Congress leader Vikar Rasool Wani sentenced to five months in jail, appeals conviction

JAMMU — In a setback for the Congress party ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Vikar Rasool Wani, a former J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president and the party’s candidate for the Banihal Assembly constituency, has been sentenced to five months in jail by a court.

Wani, along with five others, was convicted for holding a public meeting without permission in 2012, violating the Model Code of Conduct.

The court in Jammu also imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 on Wani and his co-accused, Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Sachin, Ikramuddin, and Nazim.

The case dates back to the 2012 Assembly elections when a public meeting was organized without authorization at a school in Mithepur village, Banihal, and was addressed by Wani, then a sitting MLA.

Wani’s conviction comes as the Banihal constituency prepares for a ‘friendly contest’ between the National Conference (NC) and Congress, who failed to reach a seat-sharing agreement. If Wani is disqualified, the NC candidate, Sajjad Shaheen, could face a direct contest against the BJP.

Reacting to the court’s decision, Wani expressed respect for the verdict but maintained there was no evidence or witnesses against him. “The case dates back to a 2012 rally when people were seated in a school. For 12 years, no action was taken, but a notice was issued again in 2024,” Wani told reporters in Banihal. He added that the case is now in a higher court, where he hopes for a favourable resolution.

The NC and Congress have entered into a seat-sharing arrangement for the J&K Assembly elections, with both parties fielding candidates in five constituencies, including Banihal, for a ‘friendly contest.’

Despite the legal troubles, Wani remains hopeful the case will be resolved soon, and the Congress party has yet to announce any alternative plans should he be disqualified.

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are set to begin on September 18.