Srinagar: The family of 35-year-old Umar Yaseen Shah, a resident of Railway Colony, Nowgam, Srinagar, staged a protest outside their home today, demanding justice and a thorough investigation into his death.
Umar was reported missing on December 22, 2024, and his body was discovered on December 30, 2024, in a deep gorge at Digdool, Ramban, alongside his black Mahindra Thar vehicle (registration number JK01AN 9990).
Umar was last seen traveling from Srinagar to Jammu on the day he went missing. After his disappearance, his family filed a missing person report at the Nowgam Police Station, expressing grave concern over his whereabouts. Despite extensive efforts, it was only eight days later that his body was found.
Once his body was recovered, it was taken to Ramban Hospital for medico-legal formalities and then returned to the family on December 31, 2024, for his last rites. However, his family has raised serious allegations, suggesting that Umar’s death was not a tragic accident, but rather a staged murder.
The family questions why his body was not discovered during the first seven days, despite the busy nature of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which is a 24/7 route. They believe that Umar may have been held hostage during this time, and his death occurred only after his family approached both the media and police, making it dangerous for the perpetrators to release him alive.
“We demand justice for Umar. This is not an accident; it’s a murder. The postmortem report has not been issued yet, and we want a proper investigation to uncover the truth,” said a family member during the protest.
In light of these allegations, the family has called for the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the case thoroughly and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Umar, who was unmarried, is survived by his parents and a sister. The family’s protest underscores their deep anguish and relentless determination to uncover the truth behind his death. Holding placards reading, “We Demand Justice” and “Constitute SIT Investigation,” the family continues their calls for justice.
They have urged authorities to expedite the investigation and bring closure to the case, ensuring those responsible for Umar’s death face appropriate legal action.
