J&K Police Arrests DSP Rank Officer on Corruption Charges

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested a Deputy Inspector of Police (DySP) rank officer in a corruption-related case, official sources said. 

The officer, Sheikh Aadil Mushtaq, was arrested by police on Thursday in the case FIR no 149/2023, including, under sections 167, 210, 218 and 221 of the Indian Penal Code and 77A Prevention of Corruption Act, registered at Police Station Nowgam in Srinagar. 

The police sources said that further investigation into the case is underway. 

Mushtaq was earlier removed from his post of Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Nowgam on various allegations, including ‘professional misconduct’, according to a police order dated March 8, 2023. 

“In view of some allegations of professional misconduct, Aadil Mushtaq DySP KPS-155772 (SDPO Nowgam) is hereby attached with the office of Special DG Crime, J&K till further orders,” the order from the Director General of Police (DGP) read.

DySP Mushtaq is among the many police officers from the Jammu and Kashmir Police who have gained significant popularity, especially on social media. Mushtaq was also at the forefront of campaigns like #GoGurez, meant to promote North Kashmir’s border area Gurez in Bandipora district as a tourist destination. 

He also engaged with Kashmiri youth during another campaign called Cafe to Cafe. During his tenure in the Srinagar traffic police, he established a “Wall of Kindness” or charity corner in the market area of Lal Chowk. The campaign, however, failed to attract locals.

During his probation, Mushtaq was mired in controversy when he stopped and removed the tinted film from the vehicle of the former vice-chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Professor Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi. His heated argument with the vice-chancellor was hailed by some but also condemned by the locals, including by the top political leadership in the region. The top administration also expressed regret over the incident later.