The State Investigation Agency of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir has formally requested the deputy commissioner of Baramulla to provide complete details of the movable and immovable properties belonging to three prominent Kashmiri figures, a move that has triggered concern among political observers and human rights advocates.
The request is linked to a case in which authorities claim that non-bailable warrants have been issued against the individuals. Official records, however, indicate that the warrants have not yet been executed.
Political analysts and rights groups say the step has intensified fears that property seizure could be pursued before judicial proceedings are concluded, raising questions about due process and the use of legal mechanisms to exert pressure on dissenting voices.
The individuals whose property records have been sought include Raja Muzaffar, chairman of the Kashmir Peace Committee; Dr Syed Nazir Gilani, president of the United Nations-registered Jammu Kashmir Council for Human Rights; and Advocate Irshad Malik, a senior political and social activist. All three are currently living in exile outside India.
The Kashmir Committee of the Dallas Peace and Justice Centre strongly condemned the issuance of non-bailable warrants, the collection of property-related information, and any potential move toward confiscation. In a statement, the committee said New Delhi has no legal authority to seize assets in an internationally recognised disputed territory, arguing that India has transformed its original protective role into a punitive system.
Dr Gilani said the application of Indian criminal laws, including the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, to suppress political dissent and attach properties in occupied Kashmir is inconsistent with international obligations. He emphasised that under the United Nations Charter, international commitments take precedence over conflicting domestic legislation.
Human rights experts in the United States have warned that such measures not only restrict civil liberties and political rights but also represent a departure from international legal obligations, potentially deepening instability in an already volatile region.*
