24/09/2026
Abrar Qureshi Arrested In Molestation-Theft Case After Court Rejects Anticipatory Bail; Co-Accused Laila Remains Absconding
Court finds Offenses Committed Pursuant To Pre-Planned Conspiracy; Observes ‘Custodial Interrogation Qualitatively More Effective’
Srinagar, September 24, 2026: The Additional Sessions Court in Srinagar on Thursday dismissed the anticipatory bail petition of Abrar Qureshi and Laila Qureshi, son and daughter of Mohammad Hashim Qureshi, in connection with FIR No. 84/2026 registered at Police Station Nishat, paving the way for his arrest.
The court of Additional Sessions Judge Farooq Ahmad Bhat vacated the interim protection previously extended to Abrar and Laila, holding that custodial interrogation was necessary for a fair and effective investigation.
As per sources, Abrar Qureshi has been arrested and the process of Custodial Interrogation is going to take place as per the court order.
Meanwhile, co-accused Laila Qureshi has allegedly switched off her mobile phone and is believed to be in hiding, according to sources. Police are reportedly searching for her whereabouts.
The FIR, registered on a complaint by Mrs. Gousai Nabi, wife of Junaid Qureshi, alleges that Abrar Qureshi, his sister Laila Qureshi and Tariq Ahmad Mir forcibly dragged her out of her house, molested her, damaged CCTV cameras installed on the premises and removed her belongings. The case has been registered under Sections 74, 324(2), 305, 331(4), 351(1), 221 and 115(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The court noted that despite a previous bail order, Abrar neither appeared before the Investigating Officer nor furnished the requisite bail bonds and had left the territorial jurisdiction of the court without prior permission, according to the Investigating Officer's submission before the court.
The judge observed that the investigation pointed towards a pre-planned conspiracy rather than a spontaneous incident and held that custodial interrogation was necessary to uncover the sequence of events, recover material evidence and ascertain whether additional persons were involved.
The court further observed that granting anticipatory bail at this stage could impede the investigation, noting that custodial interrogation is "qualitatively more effective than questioning a protected accused."
Relying on the Supreme Court's Constitution Bench ruling in Sushila Aggarwal vs. State (NCT of Delhi) and its judgment in Pratibha Manchanda vs. State of Haryana, the court emphasized the need to balance individual liberty with the requirement of an unhindered criminal investigation.
The court directed Police Station Nishat to proceed with the investigation strictly in accordance with law and ordered that any interim protection operating in favour of the petitioners stand vacated forthwith.
