Jammu, April 1, 2026: In a significant legal development, a Court in Jammu has deferred the issuance of process against noted journalist Asif Iqbal Naik and National Conference leader Imtiyaz Ahmed Zargar, who is the District Working President of NC Kishtwar, in a complaint filed by former MLC Firdoos Ahmed, a resident of Barmini Road, Sunjwan.
The complaint, titled “Firdoos Ahmed vs. Imtiyaz Ahmed Zargar & Anr.”, came up for consideration before the Court, which, after hearing detailed submissions and perusing the material on record, passed an order dated March 27, 2026, directing a police investigation into the matter before proceeding further.
As per the Court’s order, the issuance of process against the respondents has been postponed at this stage. Instead of initiating direct proceedings, the Court deemed it appropriate to first ascertain the veracity of the allegations through an independent probe.
Accordingly, the Court has directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kishtwar, to conduct an investigation under Section 225(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The SSP has further been authorized to entrust the probe to a police officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy.SP), ensuring that the investigation is carried out in a fair, impartial, and comprehensive manner.
The Court has fixed June 5, 2026, as the deadline for submission of the investigation report and listed the matter for further hearing on the same date.
Legal observers noted that the Court’s decision to seek a police investigation prior to issuing process reflects judicial prudence, indicating that it considered it necessary to independently verify the allegations before initiating proceedings.
During the hearing, Asif Iqbal Naik and Imtiyaz Ahmed Zargar were represented by Advocate N.D. Qazi, who argued that the allegations were baseless, motivated, and devoid of merit, asserting that the complaint had been filed with an intent to unnecessarily drag them into litigation.
On the other hand, the complainant, former MLC Firdoos Ahmed, was represented by Advocates Vikar H. Salaria and Yasir Mushtaq Nizami, who pressed the allegations and sought appropriate legal action.
It is pertinent to mention that Asif Iqbal Naik is a prominent journalist from Kishtwar known for reporting on public interest issues in the Chenab Valley, while Imtiyaz Ahmed Zargar, District Working President of NC Kishtwar, has been actively engaged in political and public activities in the region.
Sources close to them stated that both have welcomed the Court’s order, expressing full faith in the judicial process and the fairness of the investigation. They reiterated their willingness to cooperate with the authorities and maintained that the truth will emerge through a transparent inquiry.
The case will now be taken up on June 5, 2026, following submission of the investigation report by the police authorities.
