A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jammu and Kashmir has ordered the attachment of land belonging to Ghulam Nabi Fai, a US-based Kashmiri lobbyist and declared "proclaimed absconder". The order, issued on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, directs the Budgam district collector to immediately take possession of the property.
The land in question consists of over 1.5 kanals (approximately 8,100 sq. ft.) across two villages, Wadwan and Chattabugh, within the Budgam district. Specifically, this includes land measuring one kanal and two marlas under Khewat No 60, survey No 466 in village Wadwan, and land measuring 11 marlas under Khewat No 136, Survey No 343 situated at village Chattabugh. The court has instructed the District Collector of Budgam to coordinate with revenue officials to properly identify and demarcate the land, while the Senior Superintendent of Police, Budgam, is tasked with providing logistical support during the attachment process. Budgam police have already attached Fai's property.
Ghulam Nabi Fai, also known as Dr. Fai, is the chairman of the World Forum for Peace and Justice (WFPJ) and the founder of the Kashmiri American Council (KAC). He is accused of lobbying on behalf of Kashmiri separatists and Pakistan. The case against him was registered in 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). This followed allegations that his organization, the Kashmiri American Council, was operating with backing from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
The court's decision to attach Fai's property follows his failure to respond to a 30-day notice to appear before police. He had been declared a proclaimed absconder in May 2025 after not complying with the notice related to FIR No. 46/2020. The FIR was registered at Police Station Budgam under Sections 10, 13, and 39 of the UAPA. The Assistant Public Prosecutor Mohammad Iqbal Rather filed an application under Section 83 of the Criminal Procedure Code (now Section 85 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita).
Authorities have stated that investigations revealed Fai's involvement in separatist activities, including disseminating propaganda aimed at undermining the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. The attachment of Fai's property signals a tougher stance by Indian authorities against individuals accused of operating from abroad, even as the prospect of bringing such accused to trial through extradition remains uncertain.
