J&K Books Row: FIR Under UAPA, Raids Intensify Probe Into Alleged Separatist Glorification

The controversy surrounding two publications accused of glorifying separatist figures in Jammu and Kashmir has escalated, with the Counter Intelligence wing of the J&K Police registering an FIR under the UAPA and multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launching raids as part of an expanding investigation.

Officials said the books under scrutiny are ‘Personalities and Legends of J&K’ , authored by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena and published by Jammu-based Oberoi Book Service, and ‘Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir’ , authored by Sushant Giri and published by Delhi-based Anurag Prakashan .

According to the police, copies of the publications had been supplied to several districts, including Jammu, Ramban, Udhampur and Baramulla . Investigators are examining whether the content violated laws related to national integrity and public harmony.

The case has been registered under BNS provisions dealing with abetment, criminal conspiracy, endangering the sovereignty and integrity of India, promoting enmity and circulating objectionable material, in addition to Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Following the registration of the case, police teams conducted raids at premises linked to one of the publishers in Bahu Plaza, Jammu . Officials said physical documents and digital evidence were seized during the searches, though no arrests have been made so far.

The development comes a day after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered an inquiry into the books, suspended eight School Education Department officials and removed a contractual employee after the publications were found in the school system. The School Education Department subsequently withdrew both books.

The issue has triggered sharp political reactions, with BJP, Congress and other parties demanding accountability over the alleged inclusion of material seen as sympathetic to separatist narratives. Investigators are now analysing the seized material to determine the extent of any legal violations and identify those responsible.