Activist Rakesh Handu Demands Fast-Track Trial for Satish Tickoo's Murder

Leh, India Aug 23, 2026 ALN: Social and political activist Rakesh Handu, a close friend of late Satish Tickoo, has called for a fast-track trial in Tickoo’s killing, alleging that the case has remained unresolved for nearly 36 years despite the alleged identification of the accused.

Satish Tickoo was a prominent member of the Kashmiri Pandit community, which has faced significant challenges and persecution over the decades, particularly during the late 1980s and early 1990s when a mass exodus of Pandits from the Kashmir Valley occurred. The violence during this period was marked by numerous killings, and many families were uprooted from their homes, leading to a long-standing demand for justice among the displaced community.

Handu, in a statement issued here, said the recent reopening and investigation of several cases related to killings in Kashmir had raised hope among the families of victims, but questioned why similar action had not been taken in Tickoo’s case. He emphasized that the prolonged delay in justice for Tickoo's family reflects a broader pattern of neglect faced by the Kashmiri Pandit community in their quest for accountability.

“Bitta Karate alias Farooq Ahmed Dar himself accepted on national television that he killed Satish Tickoo. For 36 years, his old parents, family and friends have been fighting for justice. Why is he still not punished?” Handu said. The reference to Mohammad Farooq Dar, popularly known as Bitta Karate, highlights the complexities surrounding accountability for crimes committed during the peak of violence in Kashmir. Allegations of his involvement in the murder of Tickoo have been a focal point for activists seeking justice.

Handu welcomed the State Investigation Agency’s (SIA) recent actions in several cases linked to killings in Kashmir, including the filing of a 737-page chargesheet in the Sarla Bhat murder case against Yasin Malik and others. This development has been seen as a significant step towards addressing past atrocities and restoring a sense of justice for the victims' families. The SIA has also initiated searches in connection with the 1990 killings of Sarwanand Koul Premi and his son Virender Koul, further indicating a renewed focus on unresolved cases from that tumultuous period.

The SIA’s commitment to pursuing cases related to high-profile murders, such as that of former judge Neelkanth Ganjoo in November 1989 and BJP leader Tika Lal Taploo in September 1989, as well as the Wandhama massacre of January 1998, underscores the agency's role in addressing historical injustices that have plagued the region. The Wandhama massacre, in particular, resulted in the brutal killing of members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, marking a dark chapter in the community's history.

“If the SIA can trace the killers in cases after 36 years, why not in Satish Tickoo’s case? The accused has been identified and, as we have repeatedly maintained, he has spoken about the killing on camera. What more evidence is needed?” Handu questioned, reflecting the frustrations of many within the community who feel that their pleas for justice are being overlooked. The acknowledgment of the accused by Dar on national television adds a layer of complexity to the case, as it raises questions about the judicial process and the challenges faced in bringing perpetrators to justice.

In addition to the Tickoo case, Handu also alleged that a case file concerning the killing of three members of a minority community in Malhar, Billawar, in Kathua district in 2003, which he said had been handed over to the SIA, was missing. This assertion of missing files raises concerns about the integrity of the investigation process and the potential for further delays in achieving justice for victims. “On one side, cases are being reopened and investigated, while on the other, files are disappearing. This is not justice,” he said, highlighting the perceived inconsistencies in the handling of cases involving violence against minority communities in Kashmir.

Handu urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the SIA to pursue the Tickoo murder case through a fast-track judicial process, expedite investigation and prosecution in cases involving Kashmiri Pandit killings, and trace the alleged missing file relating to the Billawar killings. His call for expedited justice reflects a broader demand from the Kashmiri Pandit community for accountability and recognition of their suffering over the decades.

He also demanded that all pending cases concerning the killings of Kashmiri Pandits be taken up on a priority basis, emphasizing that the lack of resolution in these matters contributes to a sense of injustice and neglect felt by the community. “Justice delayed is genocide denied,” Handu said, a poignant reminder of the historical and ongoing struggles faced by the Kashmiri Pandit community in their pursuit of justice for the atrocities committed against them.

The implications of Handu's demands resonate beyond the individual case of Satish Tickoo. They highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to address the historical grievances of the Kashmiri Pandit community, ensuring that justice is not only served for individual cases but also for the collective trauma experienced by the community. As investigations into past atrocities continue, the hope remains that the voices of the victims and their families will be heard, and that the pursuit of justice will be met with timely and effective action.