SRINAGAR : Police have registered an FIR against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, her daughter Iltija Mufti and four other party leaders in connection with an alleged assault on a police officer during the PDP’s protest over the restoration of Article 370 earlier this week.
Officials said the case has been registered under Sections 132, 121 and 191(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following the protest held on the night of August 4, a day before the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.
According to police, the protest turned confrontational after a section of demonstrators allegedly attempted to breach restrictions by blocking Residency Road and marching towards Lal Chowk despite repeated appeals by security personnel to maintain peace.
Police alleged that during the confrontation, Iltija Mufti physically assaulted a police officer who was performing official duties. Officials claimed she grabbed the officer and bit his forearm, causing a bleeding injury.
As part of the investigation, police have summoned Iltija Mufti to appear before Police Station Kothibagh on Friday to join the probe. Officials also said four other PDP leaders have been asked to cooperate with the investigation.
The PDP, however, accused the authorities of acting insensitively, stating that police personnel visited the Mufti residence in Khimber and questioned Iltija while she was recovering from injuries sustained during the protest.
In a post on X, the party said questioning an injured person undergoing treatment was “deeply insensitive” and urged the authorities to respect her medical condition while ensuring due process.
Iltija Mufti had alleged that she was manhandled by police during the demonstration and was admitted to a private hospital in Srinagar after the incident. She later displayed injuries on her arms to the media before being discharged from the hospital on Wednesday following treatment.
The protest, led by Mehbooba Mufti, was organised to demand the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status, which was revoked by the Centre in August 2019.
