Selling of MBBS seats in Pakistan: Court frames charges against Hurriyat leader, 7 others

A special court framed charges against Hurriyat Conference leader and seven others for selling MBBS seats in Pakistan to students from Jammu and Kashmir and using the money to fund terrorism.

A special court here has framed charges against a Hurriyat Conference leader and seven others in a case related to "selling" of MBBS seats in Pakistan to students from Jammu and Kashmir and using the money to fund terrorism.

The court of Special Judge Manjeet Singh Manhas, designated under the NIA Act, has framed charges against Mohammad Akbar Bhat alias Zaffar Akbar Bhat, the chairman of Salvation Movement (a constituent of the hardline Hurriyat Conference) for committing offences under sections 13, 17, 18, 40. of IPC.

The other accused in the case against whom the court framed charges are Fatima Shah, Altaf Ahmad Bhat (at present in Pakistan), Qazi Yasir, Mohammad Abdullah Shah, Sabzar Ahmad Sheikh, Manzoor Ahmad Shah and Mohd Iqbal Mir.

Huge amount of money was received in lieu of such admissions from the parents of the students, and the money so earned was ploughed into supporting terrorism in J-K, the officials said. During the course of the investigation, searches in the houses of accused persons and at the other places were conducted by sleuths of SIA after obtaining search warrants from the court, they said.

The documents and other material seized during the searches were analyzed and it was found that deposits in the accounts of accused persons were made for providing admissions in various technical and professional courses, including MBBS, in Pakistan, the officials said.

Cogent evidence found during the investigation showed that the money so received was passed on to terrorists, stone pelters and overground workers for unlawful and terrorist activities.