JAMMU, April 4, 2026 : The Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed sharp uproar on the final day of the Budget Session, as members across parties—except the BJP—demanded a judicial probe into the recent Ganderbal encounter.
The controversy surrounds the killing of Rashid Ahmad Mughal in the Arhama forests on March 31. While the Army described him as a terrorist, his family has denied any militant links, alleging a “fake encounter” and demanding the return of his body for proper burial.
Demand for Judicial Probe Intensifies
Legislators from the National Conference, Congress, and PDP strongly raised the issue, calling for accountability and transparency.
- NC MLA Mubarak Gul demanded a firm stand against the killing of an “innocent”.
- Former judge and NC leader Hasnain Masoodi stressed that the right to a dignified burial is a constitutional right, urging authorities to return the body.
- Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat asserted that a judicial inquiry is essential, arguing that administrative probes may lack credibility in such serious cases.
- NC MLA Mir Saifullah termed the incident “deeply concerning” and backed calls for accountability.
Protests Inside & Outside the House
Congress leader Irfan Hafiz Lone staged a protest, demanding a fair and time-bound investigation and strict action against those responsible.
He also raised the issue of detained AAP MLA Mehraj Malik, calling his prolonged detention under the Public Safety Act a “murder of democracy.”
Burial & Procedure Controversy
Authorities confirmed that Mughal was buried in Kupwara, following standard procedure for militants killed in encounters. However, the family has objected, seeking the return of the body.
Speaker Responds
Responding to the uproar, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather informed the House that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has already ordered a magisterial probe, directing that the inquiry be completed within seven days.
BJP Raises Objection
BJP leader R S Pathania questioned the discussion of a law-and-order matter in the Assembly, noting that similar issues raised by him earlier had not been permitted.
Political Heat Continues
The incident has triggered intense political debate, with opposition parties pushing for a judicial inquiry while the government maintains that a time-bound magisterial probe is already underway.
