In a significant judicial development, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Bandipora on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, acquitted three local men accused of harboring the terrorists responsible for the 2020 triple murder of a senior BJP leader. Judge Mir Wajahat ruled that the prosecution failed to provide “admissible and reliable evidence” to establish that the accused intentionally supported a terrorist organization, granting them the benefit of doubt.
The case dates back to July 8, 2020, when Sheikh Waseem Bari, the then BJP District President for Bandipora, was gunned down alongside his father, Bashir Ahmad, and younger brother, Umer Bashir, outside their family shop.
The “Harbouring” Charges: Prosecution vs. Verdict
The three men—Abrar Gulzar Khan, Muneer Ahmad Sheikh, and Mohammad Waqar Lone—were charged under Section 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The police alleged they provided logistical support and shelter to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen militants who executed the hit.
| Prosecution Allegation | Court’s Finding / Reasoning |
| Intentional Support: The trio knowingly assisted terrorists to further their activities. | Failure of Proof: The court held that such an offense cannot be committed “accidentally or recklessly”; specific intent must be proven. |
| Witness Testimony: 17 witnesses were examined to link the accused to the hideouts. | Inconsistency: The 89-page order noted “significant deficiencies” in procedural and evidentiary integrity. |
| Logistical Link: The accused were allegedly part of a support network for the killers. | Benefit of Doubt: The evidence presented did not meet the high threshold required for a UAPA conviction. |
The Status of the Primary Assailants
While the three locals have been acquitted of harboring charges, the individuals directly involved in the shooting have met various fates:
- Neutralized: Two key militants, including Sajjad Ahmad Mir (LeT Chief of North Kashmir) and a foreign terrorist identified as Abu Usman, were killed by security forces during an encounter in Kreeri, Baramulla in August 2020.
- Absconding: Two other local militants, Abid Rashid Dar and Azad Ahmad Shah, remain wanted and are believed to have joined terrorist outfits in the valley.
[Image: A timeline of the Waseem Bari Case: July 2020 (Assassination) -> August 2020 (Killers Neutralized) -> March 2026 (Acquittal of Accused Harbourers).]
A Security Lapse Recalled
The 2020 attack remains one of the most controversial political assassinations in North Kashmir due to the massive security failure involved. At the time of the shooting:
- Guards Absent: Despite having a 10-strong security detail (8 commandos and 2 district police), not a single officer was present with Bari when the gunman opened fire from point-blank range.
- Proximity to Law: The shop where the triple murder occurred was located just meters away from the Bandipora Police Station.
- Mass Dismissal: Following the attack, all 10 PSOs were arrested for “dereliction of duty” and eventually dismissed from service.
Key Takeaways
- Immediate Liberty: The court ordered the three acquitted men to be released “forthwith” if not required in other cases.
- Investigation Critique: The judge’s order highlighted “procedural deficiencies” that may have compromised the integrity of the investigative process.
- Political Impact: The acquittal marks a closure to the criminal proceedings against the local suspects in a case that once shook the UT’s political establishment.
Sources
- The Indian Express: ‘Benefit of doubt’: Court acquits three in 2020 killing of J&K BJP leader Waseem Bari, March 14, 2026.
- Greater Kashmir: NIA Court Bandipora Acquits Trio in BJP Leader’s Murder Case, March 12, 2026.
- The Hindu: Deaths of BJP leader and family avenged: Security forces, September 2021 (Reference).
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