Sheikh Adil Mushtaq, a senior Police officer, is under investigation following his arrest on September 21, 2023, on charges of corruption and aiding individuals involved in a money laundering case. A comprehensive FIR spanning nearly 4,000 words has laid out the intricate details that led to his formal apprehension.
A police report highlights that crucial evidence, disclosed by Muzamil Zahoor and corroborated by the expertise of CERT-IN, has prompted the investigation.
Adil was arrested under FIR 149/2023, invoking sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Nowgam Police Station. His suspension in March 2023 was a result of his involvement in the terror funding investigation.
The saga began on February 7, 2023, when the Nowgam Police Station intercepted Umar Adil Dar, Bilal Ahmad Sidiqi, and Salik Mehraj, leading to the recovery of Rs 31,65,200 in cash, a cellphone, and incriminating documents related to the banned militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Subsequent investigations revealed that the trio had been receiving funds for funding LeT cadres in Srinagar on the instructions of their Pakistani handlers. Adil Mushtaq, then DySP, played a central role in the investigation until his replacement in March 2023.
Forensic analysis of their phones and the bank accounts of the accused led to the arrest of Yasmin and Zamrooda on May 18. A charge-sheet against all five accused was filed on July 27.
Significantly, Umar Adil’s transactions exposed fake accounts, including one traced to Muzamil Zahoor. According to Police FIR, Muzamil paid the DySP 2.73 lakh rupees near VMS Pharma during the day, with Mushtaq advising him to remain underground for a few months.
As authorities began tracing Muzamil’s financial transactions, he grew anxious and contacted DySP again for guidance who helped him draft a baseless complaint against the Station House Officer (SHO) of Nowgam via Telegram chat and instructed him to record a video clip for self-protection.
The complaint was eventually filed in a Srinagar court, and Mushtaq advised Muzamil to stay hidden until the court’s order. However, law enforcement apprehended Muzamil at Hotel Foot Hill in Sonwar, Srinagar, where he was hiding CERT-IN’s investigation of Muzamil’s telegram account revealed a disturbing correspondence with DySP Sheikh Adil.
The report alleges that DySP Adil actively guided Muzamil in concocting a false complaint against police officers connected to the case, an attempt to cover up his own misdeeds.
During interrogations, Muzamil admitted his involvement with Umer Adil Dar and Asif Maqbool Dar and disclosed Adil Mushtaq’s role in helping him. These revelations ultimately led to the arrest of DySP Adil.
Currently, a team of investigators is scrutinizing the case, with further details expected to emerge as the process unfolds. This case is poised to become a protracted legal battle, capturing the region’s attention as it unfolds.