Srinagar Court Orders De-Freezing of Anantnag School Accounts Amid Lack of Evidence

SRINAGAR, April 3, 2026 — In a significant legal development, a designated NIA court in Srinagar has ordered the immediate de-freezing of two bank accounts belonging to Jamiat-us-Sualihaat, an educational institution in Anantnag, after finding no direct nexus between the school’s funds and alleged criminal offenses.

Presiding over the case, the Additional Sessions Judge (TADA/POTA) ruled in favor of the institution, which operates a girls’ boarding school in the Marhama area of Bijbehara, noting that the investigation had stalled for nearly four years without the filing of a chargesheet. The accounts were originally frozen by the Police Station CIK Srinagar under the IPC and UAPA on suspicions of criminal conspiracy and links to a banned organization; however, the court observed that the deposits primarily consisted of student fees and small voluntary donations for girls’ education rather than illicit financing.

Highlighting that the continued freezing of funds was disproportionate and caused undue hardship to staff and students, the court directed the restoration of the accounts under specific conditions, including strict monitoring of transactions and ensuring funds are used solely for educational purposes. While the institution must continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigation, the court clarified that this ruling pertains specifically to the financial accounts and does not impact the overall merits of the pending case.