India’s Systematic Seizure of Muslim-Owned Property in Kashmir

Most Muslim families in Jammuand Kashmir have lived for decades—often centuries—in their own homes, shops, and farmland. These properties are not just assets; they represent heritage, livelihood, and social stability. However, since the Indian government’s revocation of Article 370 in 2019 dailyparliamenttimes.com, which stripped the region of its semi-autonomous status, there has been a disturbing rise in cases of Muslims losing their property.

Locals say Indian forces and administrative agencies are using various legal pretexts to seize these properties, often without due process or evidence.

Legal Excuses for Seizure

The most common justifications include allegations of involvement in terrorism or funding terrorist activities. Authorities also invoke laws like the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances(NDPS) Act kashmiraction.org and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) kmsnews.org to conduct raids and attach property.

Locals argue that these laws are being misused for political purposes. In many cases, property is seized without presenting proof, documentation, or allowing legal recourse. As a result, Kashmiri Muslims are losing ancestral homes, farmland, and businesses—placing their economic survival and social security at risk.

A Pattern of Targeted Raids

Recent examples show how Muslim families are being dispossessed under vague or politically motivated charges.

In Bijbehara, Anantnag district, Indian authorities seized property worth more than ₹6.6 million belonging to a father and son. According to Kashmir Media Service kmsnews.org, the confiscated assets included a two-story residential building and a one-story commercial building in Tulakhan village. The seizure was carried out under the NDPS Act.

Locals expressed outrage, saying such raids have become routine in Kashmir. Homes, shops, and land are being taken under allegations of terrorism, drug trafficking, or anti-national activity—often without a transparent legal process.

Demographic Engineering and Economic Suppression

Residents claim that seized properties are being handed over to outsiders, which they see as part of a larger plan to change the demographic structure of the region. Human rights organizations have condemned these operations as a form of collective punishment kashmiraction.org, designed to instill fear and suppress dissent.

Although Indian police often claim that seizures are related to drug trafficking, locals argue that the frequent use of NDPSand UAPA laws reveals a political agenda. Analysts note that drug trafficking in Kashmir has increased alarmingly since 2019, and some reports suggest that Indian security agencies are complicit—allowing drugs to flow through military-controlled areas and then using the crisis to justify crackdowns on civilians.

Timeline of Recent Seizures

30 September 2025 – Shopian District

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) seized the property of a Kashmiri resident in Shopian district. The stated reason was a UAPA investigation. However, locals say the property was taken without any transparent legal process or evidence.

8 October 2025 – Multi-District Raids

The State Investigation Agency (SIA), supported by police and CRPF, conducted simultaneous raids in Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam, Sopore, and Bandipora districts. These raids were linked to a UAPA case under FIR No. 1/2025. Authorities claimed the seizures were related to drug trafficking under the NDPS Act, but locals dismissed the charges as politically motivated.

10 October 2025 – Ramban District

In another case, BJP-led police attached property belonging to a worker named Farooq Ahmad in the Dumki-Sumbar area. The seized land amounted to 4.11 kanals of farmland. The action was taken under UAPA provisions. Analysts say this is part of a broader campaign to instill long-term fear and deprive Kashmiris of homes, land, and livelihood.

4 October 2025 – Srinagar (HMT Area)

Jammu and Kashmir Police seized a three-story residential house built on 15 marlas of land, registered in the name of The Resistance Front commander Sajad Gul’s family. The property, worth approximately ₹20 million, was recorded under the name of Gul’s father, Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh. The seizure was confirmed by the Tehsildar of Central Shalteng and registered under FIR No. 235/2022, citing sections 13, 38, and 20 of UAPA and EIMCO Act 2/3. Approval was granted under section 25 of UAPA, which allows attachment of property used or intended for terrorist activities.

24 June 2025 – Udhampur District

Police attached the property of Mohammad Shafiq, who is currently in judicial custody at Basantgarh police station under various sections of UAPA. A police spokesperson stated that Shafiq’s land was attached under section 25 of UAPA. The property, worth several lakh rupees, is now legally restricted from sale, lease, transfer, or any third-party transactions.

The Broader Impact

These examples are just a glimpse into a much larger and more disturbing reality. Kashmiri Muslims are losing their resources, homes, and land—often without justice or due process. Everything is being done in the name of law, but locals say the law itself is being weaponized.

The BJPgovernment is increasingly using property seizure as a tool of control, labeling locals as freedom fighters, drug traffickers, or anti-India activists to justify legal action. Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that these measures aim to economically weaken Kashmiris and change the region’s demographics by transferring seized property to outsiders.

As one local resident put it:

“They are not just taking our land—they are erasing our future.”