Jammu and Kashmir's SIA raids Kashmir Times office over 'anti-national activities' in country

The raid began around 6 am, when SIA personnel reached the premises and asked the newspaper’s manager, Sanjeev Kerni, to come from his home to unlock the office.

The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir carried out a search early Thursday morning at the Jammu office of the Kashmir Times, a long-running English-language newspaper that was founded by veteran journalist Ved Bhasin.

The action stemmed from an FIR that accuses the organisation of involvement in alleged activities deemed anti-national and of attempting to “spread disaffection against the country.”

According to official sources, the complaint refers to communications and actions now being examined for “potential threats to the sovereignty and integrity of India”, reported The Indian Express.

The raid began around 6 am, when SIA personnel reached the premises and asked the newspaper’s manager, Sanjeev Kerni, to come from his home to unlock the office.

Once inside, investigators reportedly went through files, digital storage, and other material.

Officials noted that the scrutiny is part of their broader efforts targeting what they describe as networks suspected of promoting separatist messaging or unlawful propaganda. As the SIA has stated, no platform – media or otherwise – can be permitted to be used for advancing seditious or anti-national content.

Kashmir Times, which halted its print operations from Jammu some time ago, currently functions largely through its online portal.

After its founder’s death, his daughter Anuradha Bhasin and her husband Prabodh Jamwal assumed leadership roles. The publication’s website still identifies Prabodh as editor and Anuradha as managing editor.

Both, however, have been residing in the United States for the past several years. Officials indicated that the agency is likely to question Anuradha as part of the ongoing probe, as per The Indian Express.