politics

Chargesheet Alleges JKLF Conspiracy in 1990 Killing of Kashmiri Pandit Nurse

Published on: 29 Jun 2026, 02:23 PM

The Jammu and Kashmir police's State Investigation Agency (SIA) has filed a 737-page chargesheet in a special NIA court in Srinagar, naming former JKLF chief Yasin Malik as a key accused in the abduction and killing of Sarla Bhat, a 27-year-old nurse, in 1990.

According to the chargesheet, Bhat was abducted, tortured, and killed by the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) as part of a larger terrorist conspiracy targeting the Kashmiri Pandit community. Bhat's body was found on the Mallabagh-Omer Colony Road in Srinagar on April 19, 1990. She worked as a nurse in the Neonatology Department of the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura.

The investigation, the SIA claimed, has "conclusively established" that her murder was "pursuant to a larger terrorist conspiracy and campaign directed against the Kashmiri Pandit community." Officials described the development as a "historic milestone in the pursuit of justice for victims of terrorism" and one of the most significant breakthroughs in investigating legacy terror crimes in Jammu and Kashmir.

The chargesheet was filed on Monday, and the court is expected to take cognisance of it in the coming days. The case is part of a series of investigations into crimes committed during the early years of militancy in Kashmir, which led to the exodus of many Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley.

Source: Indian Express

Latest in Politics 10

politics

Andhra Pradesh announces local body poll schedule; voting from October 28

Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha has announced the schedule for urban local body, MPTC, ZPTC and Gram Panchayat elections, with the Model Code of Conduct now in force across the State. Urban local bodies will vote on October 28, while MPTC and ZPTC polls are set for November 3 and panchayat elections will be held in three phases from November 26 to December 2.

The Hindu 15 Oct 2026, 05:35 AM

politics

Uniform Friday Sermons in J&K: Why the Waqf Board's Plan Has Sparked a Wider Debate

The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board has set up a committee of Islamic scholars to decide a common topic for Friday sermons in the mosques and shrines affiliated with it. The Board says uniform sermons will help address social issues such as drug abuse and delayed marriages, while critics question the move in a region where sermons have long had an independent political voice.

The Hindu 15 Oct 2026, 05:50 AM

politics

Questions Mount Over New White House Press Secretary's Legal Credentials

Katie Zacharia, the new White House press secretary, is facing questions about her legal credentials after a report said she did not appear to be licensed in any US state. Her law degree from Pepperdine is confirmed by the university, but neither she nor the White House has produced evidence that she passed a bar examination. The White House says she is "uniquely qualified" for the role.

NDTV 15 Oct 2026, 03:16 AM

politics

Supreme Court to hear Rahul Gandhi, INDIA bloc plea on SIR voter deletions today

The Supreme Court is set to hear a joint petition by Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders seeking disclosure of Election Commission records on the Special Intensive Revision, which the petitioners say has deleted about 13 crore voters. Separately, the Indian Youth Congress has moved the Delhi High Court over Jantar Mantar's withdrawn protest-site status, and a fresh gathering has been announced for October 16 in Delhi.

The Hindu 15 Oct 2026, 03:53 AM

politics

Waqf Board Says No Uniform Friday Sermons in J&K, Preachers Will Decide Topics

The J&K Waqf Board chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi clarified that there is no order for uniform Friday sermons, saying preachers will decide topics. The move had drawn criticism from political and religious leaders who called it interference in religious affairs. The Board said the aim was to collectively address social issues.

The Hindu 14 Oct 2026, 04:48 AM

politics

Rahul Gandhi on CJP Jail Term: 'Jantar Mantar Belongs to the People of India'

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has criticised the jail term given to CJP leaders, saying Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India and that they would reclaim it. The remark has renewed a long-running argument over how far the law may regulate public protest in the capital. Jantar Mantar has served for decades as Delhi's designated site for demonstrations.

Times of India 14 Oct 2026, 05:24 AM

politics

L. Murugan Resigns as Union Minister, Seeks to Focus on Building BJP in Tamil Nadu

Union Minister of State L. Murugan has resigned from the Modi government and asked to be relieved of his Rajya Sabha seat, saying he wants to dedicate his full time to strengthening the BJP in Tamil Nadu. He described serving under Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the greatest honour of his life.

The Hindu 13 Oct 2026, 01:47 PM

politics

Rahul Gandhi-Led Plea on Voter Roll Revision to Be Heard Once Defects Cured: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said a petition by Rahul Gandhi and ten opposition leaders on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls will be listed once defects flagged by the registry are cured. The registry had pointed out 14 defects, including a missing clear copy of co-petitioner Mallikarjun Kharge's identity card. The plea alleges large-scale voter deletions and seeks an independent audit of the exercise.

The Hindu 13 Oct 2026, 01:48 PM

politics

Supreme Court Flags 14 Defects In Rahul Gandhi-Led Petition Against Poll Body

The Supreme Court registry has flagged 14 defects, including a Rs 220 shortfall in court fees and missing authorisations, in a joint petition filed by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders against alleged electoral irregularities and the SIR of electoral rolls. The petitioners must address the objections before the plea can be listed for hearing. The petition names the Election Commission and its commissioners as respondents.

NDTV 13 Oct 2026, 03:04 AM

politics

BJP Says 25 Congress MLAs Ready to Switch; Shivakumar: 'Induct Them Now'

Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra claimed on Monday that 25 Congress legislators, including state ministers, would join the BJP if elections were held now, without offering names or evidence. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar dismissed the claim and asked the BJP to induct them immediately. The exchange comes amid allegations of sting operations and a dispute over cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections.

NDTV 13 Oct 2026, 03:14 AM

→ View All Politics News