Overview
- The Special Judge designated under the NIA Act invoked Section 82 CrPC, directing Mubeen Ahmad Shah, Azizul Hassan Ashai (Tony Ashai) and Rifat Wani to appear by January 31, 2026.
- The court warned that failure to appear could trigger Section 83 CrPC proceedings, including attachment of property.
- FIR No. 07/2020 was registered by Counter Intelligence Kashmir, which alleges the trio used Facebook, X and WhatsApp to circulate fake, exaggerated and out-of-context secessionist content.
- Officials say Shah and Ashai are in the United States and Wani is in Germany, and all three have been declared absconders after earlier arrest warrants.
- Investigators allege the online campaign sought to incite violence, disrupt normal life and create disaffection against the Union of India.