The CBI Court in Jammu has granted Mohammad Rafiq Pahloo, an associate of Yasin Malik, a final opportunity to file objections against the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) plea to revoke his bail in two cases. Rafiq Pahloo was arrested in July, along with nine others in Srinagar, for allegedly planning to revive separatism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Monika Kohli, Counsel for the Central Bureau of Investigation, stated exclusively to The Daily Guardian, “During today’s hearing related to the abduction of Rubaiya Syed, the daughter of the then Home Minister Mufti Mohd Syed, and the killing of four Indian Air Force personnel in the 1990s, four summoned witnesses failed to appear before the court. One witness has passed away, while another was not in a health condition to attend court proceedings in the Rubiya Syed case.” Kohli added, “The court has given the final opportunity to Mohammad Rafiq Pahloo in the application moved by the CBI for the cancellation of his bail granted in two cases. The plea for bail cancellation was filed by the CBI after Rafiq Pahloo’s arrest in Srinagar for reviving separatism.” In July of this year, Srinagar Police detained 10 individuals at a restaurant where they were allegedly holding a meeting to revitalize the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front. The group included Mohammad Yaseen Bhat, Mohammad Rafiq Pahloo, Shams-u-din Rehmani, Jahangeer Ahmad Bhat, Khurshid Ah Bhat, Shabir Ah Dar, Sajad Hussain Gul, Firdous Ah Shah, Parray Hassan Firdous, and Sohail Ahmad Mir. According to the FIR filed by Srinagar Police, Mohammad Yasin Bhat organized a gathering at Habib Restaurant near the Pick & Choose Departmental Store on Residency Road. The police claim that this meeting was a front for unlawful separatist activities, aiming to revive the banned JKLF-Y’s operations, posing a threat to India’s sovereignty, integrity, and security. The incident led to the registration of Case FIR No. 23/2023 under sections 10, 13 UAPA, 121-A IPC at the police station, with the investigation handed over to SDPO Kothibagh due to the gravity of the offences.