A special UAPA designated under NIA Act has framed charges against a journalist and a PhD scholar for glorifying militancy and secessionist ideology in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement, a spokesperson said the charges were framed against Kashmir Walla editor-in-chief Peerzada Fahad Shah and PhD scholar Abdul Ala Fazili in case FIR No. 01/2022 of PS SIA Jammu.

The statement reads that the case pertains to an information received by PS CIJ (SIA Jammu) on 04.04.2022 along with a copy of an article titled ‘The Shackles of Slavery Will Break’ written by one Aala Fazili and published in the digital magazine ‘The Kashmir Walla’ through its Editor-in-Chief cum Director Peerzada Fahad Shah.

“The duo accused under an active conspiracy and Paksitan’s support had resurrected a platform reviving the narrative in support of militancy and separatist eco-system. The duo had been spreading the anti-India narrative by exploiting the digital platforms under a concealed and camouflaged set-up, with the help of illicit funding received from hostile foreign agencies and proscribed militant organisations,” it reads.

It added the investigation has established that the duo accused were in touch with secessionists across the border and also with some identified militants locally.

“Through their publications the duo have brazenly advocated militancy and glorified the militants with the sole intention to radicalize the youth of the J&K and to entice and incite them in joining secessionist and militant organisations.”

It added the SIA had charge-sheeted the case in special NIA cour on 13.10.2022 after procuring the requisite government sanction, which came up for hearing on charge/discharge on 16.03.2023.

“The charges were framed against Aala Fazili u/s 13 and 18 UAPA, 121, 153B, 201 IPC and against Peerzada Fahad Shah u/s 13 and 18 UAPA, 121, 153-B IPC and 35 and 39 Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010,” it reads.