Jammu and Kashmir Authorities File Criminal Charges Against PDP Leadership Over Rallies
Police in Srinagar have registered a First Information Report against Mehbooba Mufti and Iltija Mufti following street protests marking the seventh anniversary of Article 370's abrogation. The People’s Democratic Party labels the legal action a misuse of state power intended to suppress political di
Key takeaways
- J&K Police filed an FIR against PDP leaders Mehbooba and Iltija Mufti for August 4-5 street protests.
- Charges include assault on public servants and rioting, which the PDP describes as a blatant misuse of authority.
- Iltija Mufti alleges police manhandled protesters and erased local CCTV footage to hide evidence of force.
- The PDP intends to contest the legality of the police actions and the FIR in a court of law.
The Investigation
Law enforcement officials in Jammu and Kashmir filed a First Information Report (FIR) on August 6, 2026, targeting leaders and supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The legal move follows a series of street demonstrations held in Srinagar on August 4 and 5 to mark the seventh anniversary of the removal of Article 370. Authorities named former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter, Iltija Mufti, in the document, citing unauthorized gatherings and physical confrontations with police personnel.
Disputed Accounts of Lal Chowk Confrontation
The FIR alleges that PDP workers turned aggressive when requested to clear the main road to maintain traffic flow. According to police statements, the crowd resorted to pushing and manhandling officers, resulting in injuries to several personnel. Charges filed against Iltija Mufti include Section 132 for assaulting a public servant and Section 121 for voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty.
The PDP leadership presents a starkly different narrative. Iltija Mufti accused a specific officer of manhandling and dragging her during a peaceful attempt to reach the city center. She further alleged that authorities removed CCTV footage from local shops to conceal evidence of police misconduct. The party maintains that the rally was a peaceful expression of dissent and that the police response was illegal and disproportionate.
Key Facts
- The FIR was lodged two days after the protests occurred in Srinagar.
- Police visited Mehbooba Mufti’s Khimber residence on the evening of August 6 in connection with the case.
- Charges include political rioting and mob violence under Section 191 (2).
- Iltija Mufti claims the FIR is a tactic to force the party to accept the 2019 status change.
- The PDP plans to challenge the police actions and the conduct of specific officers in court.
Why It Matters
This escalation signifies a deepening rift between the regional administration and local political parties over the right to protest the 2019 constitutional changes. By invoking criminal charges against high-profile leaders for street demonstrations, authorities have signaled a zero-tolerance policy toward unauthorized public displays regarding Article 370. The PDP's intent to bring eyewitnesses before a court of law sets the stage for a judicial review of police authority versus freedom of expression in the region.
Source: The Hindu — National
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