Bilal Bhat
Srinagar, 28 January 2025: The serene valleys of Jammu and Kashmir have become a battleground for one man’s relentless pursuit of justice. Muhammad Suhail Dar, an activist committed to unmasking corruption, has become the face of an unforgiving fight against institutional malpractice. His work in exposing scandals in education, governance, and administration has not only laid bare the deep-seated rot within the system but has also brought him and his family under a storm of intimidation and retaliation.Dar’s revelations have shaken the region. He uncovered an operational scandal involving kindergarten institutions across the Union Territory, where the futures of the youngest children were being exploited for profit. He exposed a racket in the provision of substandard books to these schools, harming early education. Dar’s sharp scrutiny pierced through the false prestige of a reputed school operating under an illegal claim of Cambridge affiliation. The list goes on: the illegal fee structures of prominent valley schools, unauthorized higher secondary operations, dual employments violating service norms, and even the fraudulent disability claims of government officials. Each exposure built the narrative of a system where exploitation had become second nature.The fallout of his activism has been severe. Dar’s six-year-old daughter was expelled from school and denied education for 18 months. Death threats have shadowed his every move, with police confirming at least one instance of unlawful restraint against him. In an even darker turn, it has been alleged that a sum of ₹2 lakh was paid to contract killers, with personal details of Dar and his wife, including Aadhaar and election cards, handed over to the would-be assassins. Although the police have been investigating the case for over seven months, no FIR has been filed. The National Human Rights Commission recently directed SSP Srinagar to act as per law, but little movement has been seen on the ground.The intimidation campaign doesn’t stop there. Bogus reports and defamation efforts have been orchestrated against Dar by government officials allegedly tied to the very scandals he has exposed. A retired High Court judge, now chairman of the Private School Fee Fixation Committee, is accused of deliberately endangering Dar’s life by revealing confidential information he had shared concerning a sensitive national security matter. The whistleblower’s voice, which once called attention to critical issues, is being systematically stifled.Despite public outrage, the government’s response to Dar’s exposes has been underwhelming. Files have been stalled, and investigations have been delayed, often involving highly influential individuals. A damning 17-page report prepared by a committee ordered by the Deputy Commissioner Budgam mysteriously disappeared in a private school scandal worth ₹100 crore. Similarly, a high-level committee constituted by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to investigate another major education scandal has failed to submit its findings even after two years, despite being initially given only one month.
The arrest of anti-corruption activist Dr. Bari Naik has added fuel to the fire. Dr. Naik, who announced his decision to step away from activism following his arrest, has described his disillusionment with the lack of public support. His case has further exposed how whistleblowers in the region are being silenced through coercion and legal harassment.In another example of administrative retaliation, JKAS officer Masarat Hashim, who voiced concerns over illegal constructions in Pahalgam, was transferred to the labor department just days after highlighting these environmental violations. The illegal structures, estimated at nearly 300, include hotels and lodges blatantly disregarding environmental norms. Similarly, the sudden transfer of three Superintendents of Police from the Anti-Corruption Bureau, following preliminary inquiries into Srinagar Smart City project allegations, has drawn sharp criticism, with many accusing the administration of shielding corrupt elements by removing whistleblower officials.
Danish Nabi Bhat, a fellow activist, has condemned these developments, stating, “This is a deliberate attempt to silence voices that expose the truth. It sends a chilling message to anyone who dares to question the system.” Journalist Asifa Bashir, in her statement, expressed concerns about the dangerous precedent being set, saying, “When the system turns on its own citizens for speaking the truth, it signals the collapse of accountability.”The battle to expose corruption in Jammu and Kashmir has not only turned into a personal nightmare for Muhammad Suhail Dar but has also highlighted the larger risks faced by whistleblowers in the region. The question remains: Will the truth find its way in a system determined to bury it?
