Srinagar: A political controversy erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after police registered an FIR against former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter Iltija Mufti over an alleged assault on a police officer during a protest against the abrogation of Article 370.
According to officials, a case has been registered against Mehbooba and Iltija under Sections 132, 121 and 191(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for the alleged incident that took place during the PDP protest on Tuesday.
Besides the mother-daughter duo, four other PDP leaders have also been asked to appear before police and join the investigation.
The police alleged that the incident occurred when Mehbooba Mufti led a sit-in protest outside the PDP office in Srinagar on the night of August 4, ahead of the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.
Police officials said that during the protest, some demonstrators allegedly attempted to move towards Residency Road and Lal Chowk despite restrictions in place.
“During the course of the protest, a section of the demonstrators allegedly attempted to violate the imposed restrictions by blocking Residency Road and proceeding towards Lal Chowk,” police said.
The police further alleged that Iltija Mufti physically assaulted an officer while he was performing his duty.
“She is further alleged to have grabbed the officer and bitten his forearm, causing a bleeding bite injury,” officials claimed.
As part of the investigation, police have summoned Iltija Mufti to appear before Police Station Kothibagh.
The PDP strongly criticised the registration of the case, describing it as a “blatant misuse of power and authority”.
In a statement, the party said Mehbooba Mufti had led a peaceful candlelight protest outside the PDP office on August 4 to mark the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.
The party claimed that police stopped the protesters from moving ahead and alleged that Iltija Mufti was intercepted while walking towards the main road with a placard.
According to PDP, Iltija was “manhandled” by police personnel during the incident, including a woman IPS officer and other officials.
The party alleged that excessive force was used against her and said it had eyewitnesses to the incident.
“We strongly condemn the conduct of the police personnel involved and demand appropriate action against those responsible for allegedly manhandling a political leader during a peaceful protest,” the PDP said.
Iltija Mufti was admitted to a private hospital after the incident, where she alleged that she was manhandled by police. She later showed injuries on her arms to the media and was discharged after treatment.
The PDP said police questioning her while she was recovering was insensitive and urged authorities to respect her medical condition.
Police, however, maintained that the FIR was registered based on allegations of assault on an officer and that the matter was being investigated as per law.
The case has further intensified political tensions in Jammu and Kashmir over protests linked to the 2019 abrogation of Article 370.
