Srinagar, Aug 6, KDC: Srinagar Police have registered an FIR against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, her daughter and party leader Iltija Mufti following a confrontation with police during a protest on Residency Road on the eve of the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.
A copy of FIR No. 63/2026 accessed by Kashmir Dot Com shows that the case was registered at 9:10 pm on August 4 at Police Station Kothibagh under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The FIR invokes Section 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), Section 121 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty), and Section 191(2) (rioting).
According to the docket submitted by the officer in charge of the patrolling party deployed near the PDP office on Residency Road, police personnel were performing routine law and order duties when PDP workers, led by senior party leaders, allegedly attempted to move from the party office onto the main road at around 9 pm.
The report states that police requested the gathering not to assemble on the main carriageway to prevent disruption to traffic and maintain public order. However, according to the FIR, the request “was not well received” and the protesters allegedly turned aggressive.
The FIR alleges that the protesters “criminally used force” against the police party, obstructed them in the discharge of their official duties and resorted to pushing and manhandling police personnel. It further states that several police personnel sustained injuries during the confrontation. Following the incident, an investigating officer was deputed to the spot, medico-legal formalities were initiated, injury certificates were obtained and statements of witnesses were recorded as part of the investigation.
Meanwhile, according to an official statement issued by Srinagar Police, the protest was held at S.K. Park on the evening of August 4 under the leadership of Mehbooba Mufti and Iltija Mufti. Police said a section of the protesters allegedly attempted to violate restrictions by blocking Residency Road, marching towards Lal Chowk, breaching barricades and obstructing police personnel deployed for law and order duties.
The statement said male and female police contingents repeatedly appealed to the demonstrators to maintain peace and comply with lawful directions, but some protesters allegedly ignored the instructions and attempted to force their way through the barricades.
During the ensuing scuffle, police alleged that Iltija Mufti assaulted a police officer while he was discharging his official duties.
“She grabbed the officer and bit his forearm, causing a bleeding injury,” the police statement alleged.
The injured officer was immediately shifted to a hospital where he underwent treatment, including wound management, tetanus prophylaxis, vaccination and other medical care as per protocol, police said.
Taking what it termed a serious view of the alleged assault on a public servant and obstruction of lawful police action, Srinagar Police registered the FIR and launched an investigation into the incident.
Police also issued a summons to Iltija Mufti directing her to appear before Police Station Kothibagh on Thursday to join the investigation.
“The investigation is in progress, and legal action shall be taken strictly in accordance with law against all persons found involved in the assault on police personnel and obstruction of public servants in the discharge of their official duties,” the statement said.
The registration of the FIR follows the PDP’s protest against the abrogation of Article 370 and the alleged restrictions imposed by the administration ahead of August 5. While police have presented their version of the events in the FIR and official statement, the PDP has maintained that its leaders and workers were exercising their democratic right to peaceful protest. The investigation is ongoing. (KDC)
