Former J&K High Court Bar Association Srinagar president Mian Qayoom detained for questioning, elections put on hold
Bar Association Srinagar, president Mian Qayoom on Tuesday in connection with conspiracy pertaining to murder of advocate Babar Qadri in 2020.
The officials informed that Qayoom was summoned for questioning by the State Investigation Agency officials and later detained for sustained interrogation in connection with the murder. The officials claim that they have collected «substantial evidence against Qayoom, who has emerged as a primary suspect in the case.» However, the SIA or J&K police are yet to issue a formal statement confirming his detention or arrest.
Qadri, who had shot to prominence for his participation in high pitched TV debates on the situation in Kashmir, was shot dead at his residence in Hawal area of downtown Srinagar by unknown gunmen posing as potential clients, on September 24, 2020. The killing took place at a time when he had just launched a party of his own and posted videos on social media criticizing J&KHCBA Srinagar of which he was a member as well. His membership was suspended following the floating of his own party.
The case was registered under sections 307 IPC, 7/27 Arms Act, 16,18 UAPA and later section 302 IPC was invoked as well and a chargesheet was filed against six accused persons in 2021. They had claimed that Lashkar e Toiba commander Saqib Manzoor was involved in Qadri's killing, who was later killed in an encounter along with an associate. In 2022, police raided several locations including that of Qayoom during which they claimed to have recovered several documents and
