After Decades in J&K, 65 Face Charges Over ‘Illegal Stay’; 15 of Them Are Dead
In a development that has drawn attention to the long-standing issue of alleged illegal stay in Jammu and Kashmir, 65 people are facing charges over their alleged unauthorised residence in the region, even as 15 of them have reportedly died.
The case has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the allegations, the length of time the individuals had spent in Jammu and Kashmir, and the legal proceedings involving people who may have lived in the region for decades.
The matter highlights the complexities of dealing with cases of alleged unauthorised residence, particularly when questions of documentation, identity and legal status remain unresolved over an extended period.
Crime Branch Files Chargesheets in Eight Cases
According to officials, the Special Crime Wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch has filed chargesheets against 65 people after completing investigations into eight separate cases involving alleged illegal stay by Pakistani nationals in the Jammu division. Of the 65 individuals named, 50 are alive and have been chargesheeted, while the involvement of 15 people who died before the chargesheets were filed has also been recorded.
Investigators have alleged that some of the individuals obtained Indian identity documents by concealing their foreign nationality. According to the Crime Branch, some also allegedly secured government employment using forged documents.
The investigation reportedly traced families originating from areas including Sindh, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sargodha and Mirpur in Pakistan, as well as Rawalakot and Kotli in PoK. These families had settled in areas such as Akhnoor, Mendhar, Thannamandi, Darhal and Kathua.
Officials further said that Indian spouses, family members and other individuals allegedly involved in obtaining or facilitating fraudulent documents have also been named in the cases. The chargesheets were filed under relevant provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946, the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, and the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), as applicable to the cases.
The case has brought renewed attention to questions surrounding individuals who entered India legally but are accused of overstaying their authorised period of residence. The fact that some of the individuals reportedly lived in Jammu and Kashmir for decades adds another dimension to the legal proceedings.
The filing of chargesheets marks a significant step in the investigations, but the allegations must be established through the judicial process. The accused are entitled to due process under the law, and the charges themselves do not establish guilt.
The development also underscores the complexity of cases involving long-term residence, family ties and questions of nationality, particularly when investigations take place many years after the individuals first arrived in the country.
As the cases proceed before the competent courts, the legal process will determine the responsibility of the living accused and the implications of the findings recorded against those who died before the chargesheets were filed.
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