The recent death of a National Conference Party worker rocked not only the state but the entire country

Mysterious deaths and political drama over the same are nothing new to the people of Jammu & Kashmir. However, the recent death of the influential National Conference worker Syed Mohammad Yusuf and the incidents followed grabbed the attention of people not only in the state but across the country.

On September 30 when the State legislative assembly was in session, news flashed across the state that Yusuf had died at the residence of J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah, as he was being interrogated in connection with some money matters. The news came as an advantage to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which demanded resignation of Omar along with the Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani.

Although the resolution seeking clemency to parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru was supposed to be the highlight of the session at the end the controversial death hogged the limelight.

Talib Yusuf, son of the deceased said that his father went to the residence of Wani and was in contact with the family members upto 6.30 pm on September 29. “From Nasir Aslam Wani’s residence, Yusuf was taken to the chief minister’s residence where he was allegedly tortured by Inspector General (Crime) Raja Aijaz Ali and Deputy Superintendent of Police Shabir Ahmad attached as Personal Security Officer of chief minister. He died due to torture at that place,” said Talib.

He said that he phoned his father but the mobile phone was switched off. “The last time I talked to my father, there was some noise in the background. It seemed that some arguments were going on. I in my wildest of my dreams had never dreamt that I would be informed about my father’s death next morning.” The issue came to the fore on September 30 when the relatives of Yusuf protested in the press enclave here demanding his body. They raised slogans against the chief minister and minister of state for home alleging that Yusuf died due to torture. Referring to the ‘custodial’ death of Yusuf, the state government said that he died at hospital in the morning of September 30. It denied the reports as well as allegations that Yusuf died in the custody at the chief minister’s residence or for that matter the residence of minister of state for home. Interestingly, as soon as the death of Yusuf came out in the open, the government immediately ordered the transfer of DSP Shabir Ahmad. While Shabir was transferred to South Kashmir’s Kulgam district two other police officers -- DSP Nasir Khan and ASI S. P Singh -- were also transferred.

The state government ordered a judicial probe into the matter and said that the judge or judges would hold the inquiry in the case. It also released a statement of facts according to which Yusuf had received money from two persons namely Mohammad Yusuf Bhat and Abdul Salam Reshi. It said Yusuf died due to cardiac arrest.

“Yusuf was called by the chief minister at his camp office to verify the complaint lodged by Bhat and Reshi. Yusuf admitted that he had taken Rs. 84 and Rs. 34 lakhs respectively from Bhat and Reshi for some undue favours. Yusuf complained of pain in the abdomen and was kept under observation at the police hospital. His ECG was carried out which was normal and Yusuf was alright,” said a government statement.

Omar Abdullah broke his silent only after three days of the incident. He said he is willing to be interrogated and criticized some politicians for raking up the issue for personal interests.

On the day the issue of Yusuf’s death reverberated in the assembly, PDP legislators raised uproar after speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone disallowed the adjournment motion seeking discussion on Yusuf’s death. Lone entered into a verbal duel with senior PDP leader Moulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari and the house witnessed uproarious scenes. The house was adjourned many times during the day with the business ultimately suspended for the day. The PDP disrupted the proceedings of the house next day too.

Meanwhile, Abdul Salam Reshi who was accused of giving Rs. 84 lakh to Yusuf informed the media that he gave the money on the assurance that National Conference President and Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah would give him a seat in the state legislature. However, Dr Abdullah refuted the allegations.

Omar Abdullah has added a new dimension to the whole story as he has termed Yusuf as a crook in his party. He in a recent interview to a news channel said that he tried to deal with Yusuf in a transparent manner. Omar said that there are people like Yusuf in every party and the issue should not be blown out of proportions.