Pulwama, Aug 11 (KNO): Police have registered a criminal case against BJP Pulwama District President Er Syed Showkat Gayoor Andrabi following a complaint by a contractor.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the complainant has alleged that Andrabi was demanding money, obstructing authorised work and intimidating him and his employees.
An official said that the case was registered at Police Station Pulwama under FIR No. 0145/2026 on August 10, based on a written complaint submitted by Mohammad Yaseen Ganie, a resident of Suthsoo BK Pora in Budgam.
According to the FIR, Ganie is engaged in the extraction and transportation of soil for work associated with Gurudwara Parbandhak, Barthana. The complainant has claimed that the work has been undertaken after obtaining the requisite permission from the competent authorities.
The complaint alleged that Gayoor repeatedly interfered with his work and demanded Rs 5 lakh from him to allow the work to continue without obstruction.
The complainant further alleged that the BJP leader repeatedly contacted him and threatened him. He claimed that the alleged monetary demand was accompanied by intimidation and warnings of legal action.
The complaint refers to an incident on August 8 when Gayoor allegedly reached the work site at Parigam at around 10:50 am. According to the complainant, the accused parked his private vehicle in front of vehicles engaged in the transportation of soil, allegedly preventing them from moving further.
The workers and drivers reportedly questioned the alleged obstruction and informed him that the contractor possessed official permission for the work. The complainant alleged that Gayoor subsequently recorded videos of the workers and accused them of carrying out illegal activities.
The FIR further alleged that the accused threatened some of the workers with action under the Public Safety Act (PSA). The complainant has claimed that repeated references to PSA detention were used to create fear among the workers and pressure him into meeting the alleged financial demands.
The complaint also refers to earlier payments allegedly made to Gayoor. It claims that Rs 50,000 was paid on November 21, 2025, followed by another payment of Rs 4,000 the following day, taking the alleged total to 54,000.
The complainant has alleged that these payments were made under pressure and were not voluntary. He claimed that despite the alleged payments, additional demands were subsequently made.
Police have registered the case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections pertaining to wrongful restraint, extortion and criminal intimidation.
The complainant has also sought verification of the alleged financial transactions and recording of statements of drivers, workers and other persons who may have witnessed the incidents.
An official said that police are examining the documents relating to the permissions for soil extraction and transportation, verify the allegations concerning the alleged payments and record the statements of witnesses as part of the investigation—(KNO)