Fresh charges hit Shopian seminary declared unlawful

• RK News
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• 29 Apr 2026

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‘Land fraud, dubious registrations, JeI links, 17 terror cases’

Srinagar, Apr 28: A day after the Darul Uloom Jamia Sirajul Uloom at Imam Sahib in Shopian was declared an unlawful entity under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), fresh and serious allegations have come against the institution, including fraudulent land acquisition, dubious financial practices, and sustained links with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).

According to details shared by sources, the land on which the Darul Uloom was established in 1994 was not transferred through lawful means. Sources alleged that the land was "alienated fraudulently under coercion and duress, with suspected complicity of certain revenue officials who appear to have bypassed the prescribed legal procedures".

Sources further revealed that the institution was functioning without valid registration from the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) and lacked mandatory clearance certificates. The institution was also operating a Fazila College under affiliation with the University of Kashmir despite serious regulatory deficiencies, sources added.

In a significant revelation, sources said the institution is registered on the NGO Darpan Portal under two distinct identities – "Siraj-ul-Uloom Educational Society" (registered in 2018) and "Siraj-ul-Uloom Welfare Foundation" (registered in 2025). The latter entity has additionally been incorporated as a company to "evade statutory oversight," sources alleged.

The management failed to seek mandatory "re-registration" under the applicable provisions of the Reorganisation Act, fully cognisant that such re-registration would likely be denied, sources said. "Instead, the management deliberately adopted a corporate structure to circumvent regulatory scrutiny and continue operations without obtaining requisite security clearance, reflecting mala fide intent and conscious evasion of the law."

Sources also raised concerns over multiple bank accounts maintained by the institute and recent changes in authorised signatories. The continued inflow of funds through tuition fees and donations has raised apprehensions regarding "concealment of financial control and possible diversion and misuse of funds", sources said, adding that the legitimacy of donations and other receipts remains questionable.

Reiterating earlier findings, sources confirmed "sustained linkages" of the institution with Jamaat-e-Islami, a proscribed unlawful association. Several individuals associated with the institute who held key positions were known affiliates of JeI, creating an ecosystem conducive not to academic development but to "ideological indoctrination," sources alleged.

The said entity had emerged as a "hub of radicalisation", sources said, disclosing that at least 17 individuals associated with the institution joined terrorist ranks and were involved in militant activities and narco-terrorism.

Sources provided a list of 17 former students of the Darul Uloom who have been booked in various terror-related cases across multiple police stations in Kashmir and Jammu. The list includes: Rayees Ahmad Teli of Kadgam (FIR 49/2007, PS Shopian); Aadil Gulzar of Kanelwan (multiple FIRs including 22/2018, 142/2019, PS Bijbehara); Qasim Mohammad of Midoora Tral (FIR 56/2020, PS Tral); Shakir Ahmad Paul of Dangerpora (multiple FIRs across PS Imamsahib, PS Shopian, PS Zainapora); Hilal Ah Wani of Manchwa (FIR 23/2019, PS Chadoora Budgam); Munib Ul Haq of Sugan (8 FIRs including PS Zainpora); Zubair Ahmad Nengroo of Aloora (multiple FIRs, PS Imamsahib); Aijaz Ah Paul of Losdanew (FIR 248/2018, PS Shopian); Sajad Ahmad Bhat of Marhama (FIR 81/2019, PS Bijbehara); Nazim Nazir Dar of Urpara Nagbal (multiple FIRs); Muzaffer Ahmad Bhat of D.K.Pora (details not available); Yawar Majeed Itoo of Safanagri (multiple FIRs, PS Zainapora); Asif Ahmad Lone of Turkwangam (multiple FIRs, PS Imamsahib and PS Shopian); Showkat Ahmad Kumar of Trenz (multiple FIRs, PS Shopian); Tariq Ahmad Sheikh of Muloo Chitragam (multiple FIRs across PS Zainapora, PS Imamsahib, PS Shopian); Javid Rashid Bhat of Muloo Dangerpora (FIR 55/2019, PS Kangan Ganderbal), and Owais Ahmad Malik of Arwani Bijbehara (FIR 51/2018 PS Bijbehara and FIR 38/2019 PS City Jammu).

The cases against these individuals include charges under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Indian Penal Code, Arms Act, and NDPS Act, among others.

On Monday, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg issued an order declaring the Darul Uloom an "unlawful entity" under the UAPA based on a dossier from the SSP Shopian. Subsequently, District Magistrate Shopian Shishir Gupta passed prohibitory orders banning the entry of any unauthorised person into the institution.

However, Mohammad Shafi Lone, Chairman of the institute, has denied all allegations, stating the institution has no links with Jamaat-e-Islami and that 814 students are currently enrolled.