After nearly 33 years since the tragic killing of retired judge Neelkanth Ganjoo, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) in Jammu and Kashmir has reached out to the general public, seeking their assistance in unraveling the “larger criminal conspiracy” that lies behind the heinous act.
Neelkanth Ganjoo, a retired judge, met a tragic end when he was shot dead by terrorists in November 1989. His murder had a significant impact, as he had been involved in a high-profile case from the 1960s. He had sentenced Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, the founder of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), to death in connection with the murder of police officer Amar Chand. Ganjoo’s untimely demise marked a dark chapter and he was among the prominent Kashmiri Pandits who were targeted during that tumultuous period.
The SIA has taken a renewed interest in this case with the aim of uncovering the full extent of the criminal conspiracy that led to Ganjoo’s murder. In a recent communication, a spokesperson for the agency urged individuals who possess any knowledge, facts, or circumstances related to the murder to come forward and share their insights. The agency is particularly interested in information that may have a direct or indirect bearing on the investigation of this case.
The spokesperson emphasized that the identities of those providing information will be kept confidential and protected. Additionally, the agency has promised suitable rewards for any useful and relevant information that contributes to solving the mystery surrounding Neelkanth Ganjoo’s tragic death.
Urmila Raina, his daughter, welcomed the decision and said, “It has been 34 years. Everyone knows what happened. There is nothing we can tell them that they don’t already know. It is good that this case has been reopened. It should have been opened earlier, but better late than never. We hope that justice will be given to him. We are thankful to the government for reopening the case.”
For those who wish to contribute to the investigation, the agency has set up dedicated channels of communication. The renewed efforts by the State Investigation Agency reflect a commitment to seeking justice and bringing closure to a chapter of history that has left many questions unanswered.