SRINAGAR: Adil Mushtaq, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who hit the headlines for his welfare initiatives and as a social media influencer, was arrested on multiple charges of corruption and destroying evidence in Srinagar on Thursday (September 21, 2023). Confirming the development, a police spokesman said a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by a Superintendent of Police, has been constituted to investigate the DSP’s case, “which has larger ramifications”.
His arrest comes three years after the dramatic arrest of Deputy Superintendent Davinder Singh for alleged terror links.
How Was DSP Adil Arrested?
DSP Adil was formally arrested even as he jumped out a window of his house and attempted to escape after having formatted his two mobile phones allegedly to destroy evidence of his involvement in the terror-linked corruption case. However, the Police had already established his links to the LeT terror operative over the disclosures of some detained terror operatives and Over-ground workers (OGWs) with the help of technical support from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).
Why Was DSP Adil Arrested?
DSP Adil Mushtaq, currently posted in a battalion of the J&K Armed Police, was called for questioning and interrogated for his involvement in a matter of receiving money from a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba operative Muzamil Zahoor during his posting as Sub Divisional Police Officer Pantachowk and the inquiry officer (IO) of a case registered with the Nowgam Police Station in Srinagar.
What Are The Charges Against DSP Adil?
DSP Sheikh Adil Mushtaq, posted with the 17th Indian Reserve Police, was arrested under FIR No. 149/2023 under Section 7, 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Sections 167, 193, 201, 210, 218, 221 of the Indian Penal Code.
DSP Mushtaq has been sent to a day police remand. Police sources said several documents, a laptop and other electronic devices were seized from his house during the investigation.
Influential Family Background
With his brother as a Youth Congress leader in Baramulla, Adil belongs to an influential family. He happens to be the son-in-law of a former District & Sessions Judge who has resigned from the judicial service and joined Farooq Abdullah’s Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) to claim the party’s ticket from a southern Kashmir constituency in the forthcoming Assembly elections.
Why Was DSP Adil Trending On Twitter?
DSP Mushtaq has been hogging the social media limelight for initiatives such as ‘Wall of Humanity’ , as part of which people would donate clothes to the poor. He also initiated the ‘Go Gurez’ campaign on social media to promote the Gurez Valley as a tourist destination. The DSP has around 50,000 followers on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).
“However, police sources said DSP Mushtaq “misused his official position” and allegedly faces charges in multiple cases of corruption and extortion. He is also accused of destroying evidence,” they added.
