SRINAGAR, December 31, 2025 — Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK), an intelligence wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, has filed a case against three overseas residents for allegedly weaponizing social media to incite violence and unrest. A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Srinagar has issued a proclamation directing the accused to appear before it by January 31, 2026.
Who are the accused individuals?
The First Information Report (FIR) names three individuals: Mubeen Ahmad Shah and Azizul Hassan Ashai (also known as Tony Ashai), both residents of Srinagar currently based in the United States, and Rifat Wani from Kupwara, who is based in Germany. According to the CIK statement, following the issuance of arrest warrants, the accused persons “went underground and are absconding to evade the process of law.”
What are the specific allegations?
Police allege the accused were part of a “well-orchestrated conspiracy” to use social media platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp to circulate “fake, motivated, exaggerated, secessionist and out-of-context content.” The CIK stated they were “masquerading as news portals, journalists and freelancers.” The deliberate objective, according to police, was to “incite street violence, disrupt normal life, damage public property, disturb public order and fuel mass unrest,” thereby promoting anti-national sentiments and a secessionist agenda.
What legal provisions have been invoked?
The case has been registered under Sections 153-A (promoting enmity between groups) and 505 (public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code, and critically, under Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The special NIA court in Srinagar has issued a proclamation under Section 82 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, which is a final legal notice requiring the accused to appear in court by a set date—in this instance, on or before January 31, 2026.
What is the current status of the accused?
Despite being declared absconders, police allege the accused “remain highly active on social media platforms, where they persist in peddling false, fabricated and provocative content with the intention of inciting large-scale violence and destabilising public order in Jammu & Kashmir.” The court’s proclamation is a direct legal step following their alleged evasion of earlier arrest warrants.
FAQ
Q: What are the accused asked to do by the court?
A: The special NIA court in Srinagar has issued a proclamation directing Mubeen Ahmad Shah, Azizul Hassan Ashai, and Rifat Wani to appear before it on or before January 31, 2026.
Q: Under which laws have they been booked?
A: Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Sections 153-A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code have been used to book them.
Q: Where are the accused currently located?
A: According to the police, Mubeen Ahmad Shah and Azizul Hassan Ashai are based in the United States, while Rifat Wani is based in Germany.
Q: What is the core allegation against them?
A: The core allegation is that they weaponized social media to create and circulate content aimed at inciting violence, damaging public property, disturbing order, and fueling mass unrest in Jammu & Kashmir to advance a secessionist agenda.
