Hizbul Mujahideen Terrorist Sentenced to Life in Bandipora Murder Case After 32 Years
Srinagar, Aug 21 (TTP): In a landmark verdict that has brought closure to a decades-old case, a court in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district has sentenced a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist to life imprisonment, 32 years after he brutally murdered a civilian carpet weaver in the region.
Court Delivers Justice After Three Decades
The Additional District & Sessions Judge Bandipora, Susheel Singh, pronounced the life sentence against Abdul Wahid Mir, a former Hizbul Mujahideen militant, for the murder of Mohammad Shafi Hajam, a carpet weaver from Onagam village.
Hajam was killed on December 7, 1993, when Mir and another militant allegedly stormed into his home, forcibly took him away, and later shot him at point-blank range in a nearby graveyard.
The case, initially declared “untraced” in 1994, was reopened in 2004 following persistent efforts by Hajam’s family. After years of trial, multiple eyewitness testimonies, and painstaking legal procedures, the court finally delivered its verdict on Wednesday.
Sentencing and Compensation
According to the court’s order:
- Life imprisonment under Section 302 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
- Three years rigorous imprisonment under Section 201 RPC.
- Seven years rigorous imprisonment under Section 7/27 Arms Act.
The sentences will run concurrently.
In addition, the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority has been directed to provide Rs 1 lakh compensation to Hajam’s parents under the 2013 Victim Compensation Scheme.
Judge Singh, while reading out the order, said:
“The crime was heinous and shook the conscience of society. However, considering the convict’s age (55 years) and prolonged incarceration, the death penalty is not warranted.”
Mir is currently lodged in Central Jail Agra and will remain there, pending confirmation of the sentence by the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court.
Eyewitness Accounts: A Family Torn Apart
The prosecution relied heavily on eyewitness testimonies, particularly from Hajam’s brothers. They recalled how on the morning of the murder, Mir and his associate Ali Mohammad Khawja alias Khan entered the victim’s home, demanded his scooter, and forced him to leave with them.
One brother testified:
“They dragged Shafi towards the graveyard. Moments later, we heard a gunshot. When we reached there, Mir had shot him in the forehead and was trying to set the body on fire with kerosene.”
It was only the intervention of villagers that prevented the militants from burning Hajam’s body.
Witnesses also recounted the climate of fear that followed. Posters labeling Hajam an “informer” circulated across Bandipora, and the family was threatened into silence. For weeks, they were unable to mourn openly.
Co-Accused Acquitted
While Mir was convicted, co-accused Ali Mohammad Khawja was acquitted of all charges. The court noted that the prosecution failed to prove his involvement beyond reasonable doubt. No substantive evidence directly linked him to the killing.
The Long Road to Justice
The crime was first reported by a village chowkidar in 1993, but the investigation quickly went cold. In March 1994, the case was officially closed as “untraced.”
It was only after a decade, in 2004, that the victim’s family found the courage to name the perpetrators. Fresh witness statements were recorded, and the trial began.
Mir, who admitted his past involvement in militancy but claimed to have surrendered, was put on trial. Multiple family members provided detailed testimony that eventually led to his conviction.
The court acknowledged the contribution of the Additional Advocate General and the Legal Aid Defence Counsel, stating that their assistance was crucial in finally concluding the decades-old case.
Official Response and Wider Implications
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha welcomed the verdict, urging other families of terrorism victims to come forward.
He said:
“Family members of those killed by terrorists in the last 35 years, who are still waiting for justice, must come forward without fear and lodge FIRs. Justice will be delivered.”
The L-G also reaffirmed that the government is providing jobs to the next of kin of victims of terrorism, especially in cases where past administrations failed to process applications for compassionate appointments.
Why This Verdict Matters
This sentencing is significant for several reasons:
- Closure for Victims’ Families: After three decades of silence and intimidation, Hajam’s family finally received justice.
- Message Against Terrorism: The verdict reinforces the state’s commitment to hold militants accountable, no matter how much time has passed.
- Encouragement to Others: By reopening an “untraced” case, the judgment demonstrates that justice can still be pursued for other victims of militancy in Kashmir.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The Bandipora court’s ruling is more than just a legal verdict—it is a message to families across Jammu and Kashmir that justice, though delayed, is not denied. For decades, terrorism left behind a trail of broken families and unanswered questions. This case proves that perseverance, courage, and the rule of law can ultimately prevail.