PDP President Urges GoI to Free Sarjan Barkati’s Ailing Wife on Humanitarian Grounds

SRINAGAR: PDP president and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, has raised concern over the health condition of prisoners held within and outside the Union Territory, urging the Government of India to release Shabrooza Bano, the ailing wife of religious cleric Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, popularly known as Sarjan Barkati.

Mehbooba said, Bano, who remains in custody, is reportedly unwell and requires urgent medical attention. She described the situation as “heartbreaking,” highlighting that both parents being incarcerated has left their children without care. “The Government of India must take a compassionate view by releasing Shabrooza immediately so she can get proper treatment and be with her children,” she said in a post on X.

Deeply concerning that many prisoners are reportedly unwell in jails within and outside Jammu & Kashmir. Among them is Sabrooza Barkati wife of Sarjan Barkati who is also reportedly ill & urgently needs medical care. What makes this even more heartbreaking is that both parents…

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 17, 2025

Bano was arrested by the State Investigation Agency (SIA) on 24 November 2023 in connection with a militancy financing case. According to the SIA, she and her husband raised around Rs 1.74 crore through crowdfunding campaigns, with funds allegedly diverted to money laundering, acquisition of undisclosed assets and financing secessionist activities.

The agency further claimed Bano remained in contact with Pakistan-based handlers through encrypted platforms and was complicit with her husband, who was detained in August 2023. Officials said a significant portion of the funds had been invested in fixed deposits under the names of Barkati’s family members.

Barkati, a prominent figure during the 2016 unrest, faces more than 30 FIRs for organising protests and rallies. The SIA maintains that his activities and those of his wife were part of a broader conspiracy to channel funds for separatist and militant purposes.