Additional Sessions Court Anantnag Convicts Three in 2017 Mattan Murder Case — Sentence to Be Pronounced on July 16

Arising State Desk

Anantnag, July 10: In a significant development in a long-pending murder case, the Additional Sessions Court Anantnag has convicted three individuals — Javaid Ahmad Poswal, Mohd Ashraf Kaloo Khel, and Mohd Imran Poswal alias Manoo — in connection with the brutal killing of Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie, a resident of Hyderpora Budgam, whose body was discovered in the Hutmarah forests in 2017.

According to a copy of the judgment accessed by Arising State, the court,presided over by Ms.Masrat Roohi, held the trio guilty under Sections 302 and 34 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) for the planned and cold-blooded murder of the 29-year-old butcher. The judgment, delivered on July 10, stated that the accused lured the victim on the pretext of a livestock deal, tied his hands, and strangled him to death in the forest.They subsequently looted the cash he was carrying and abandoned his vehicle at Pampore.

According to the prosecution, the victim had received a call from accused Javaid Poswal asking him to bring cash to purchase sheep. The deceased left home on June 29, 2017, and never returned. His body was discovered days later with his hands tied behind his back, and signs of torture evident. The investigation, led by Mattan Police, unearthed strong evidence including witness testimonies, call records, and recoveries of stolen money from the accused.

The Court heard testimony from over a dozen witnesses and examined material evidence before concluding the involvement of all three accused in the conspiracy and execution of the murder.

The quantum of punishment will be announced on July 16, 2025.