CBI Lawyer Sheikh Adil Nabi Killed in J&K Highway Crash; Driver Arrested

J&K: CBI lawyer killed in highway crash; accused driver arrested

Tragedy on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway: CBI Lawyer Sheikh Adil Nabi Killed

A promising legal career was cut short in a split second on one of India’s most vital—and perilous—highways. On Saturday, 35-year-old Sheikh Adil Nabi, a dedicated prosecutor with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), was killed in a violent rear-end collision near Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir. The CBI lawyer killed J&K incident has sent shockwaves through the legal community and reignited urgent conversations about road safety in the mountainous region.

According to police, Nabi’s vehicle was struck from behind by a speeding Mahindra Scorpio, causing catastrophic damage. The driver of the Scorpio, identified as Mohammad Shafi, has since been arrested and is being questioned in connection with the fatal crash. As tributes pour in for the young lawyer, many are asking: could this tragedy have been prevented?

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What Happened on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway?

The fatal accident occurred around midday near Banihal, a critical mountain pass that connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) is the lifeline of the region—but also one of its deadliest stretches.

Preliminary reports from the J&K Traffic Police indicate that Sheikh Adil Nabi was driving his sedan when a Mahindra Scorpio, traveling at high speed, failed to brake in time and rammed into the rear of his car. The impact was so severe that Nabi succumbed to his injuries at the scene .

Emergency services arrived quickly, but the remote location and narrow mountain roads hampered immediate medical response—a common challenge in this terrain.

Who Was Sheikh Adil Nabi?

Sheikh Adil Nabi wasn’t just any government lawyer. He was a respected CBI prosecutor known for his meticulous work on high-stakes corruption and terrorism-related cases in Jammu and Kashmir. Colleagues described him as “brilliant, humble, and deeply committed to justice.”

At only 35, Nabi had already built a formidable reputation. He was a graduate of the University of Kashmir’s law faculty and had joined the CBI’s J&K unit early in his career. Friends say he often commuted between Srinagar and Jammu for court appearances—a routine journey that tragically became his last .

His death is not just a personal loss but a professional blow to an investigative agency already stretched thin in the region.

Driver Mohammad Shafi: Arrest and Charges

Within hours of the crash, police tracked down and arrested Mohammad Shafi, the driver of the Scorpio. Authorities confirmed that Shafi was not under the influence of alcohol, but initial investigations point to reckless speeding as the primary cause .

Shafi is now in police custody and faces potential charges under Section 304A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code. Additional charges may be added depending on the final forensic and vehicle inspection reports.

Notably, this is not the first major accident linked to speeding on this stretch of NH-44—a pattern that has long alarmed safety advocates.

J&K’s Persistent Road Safety Crisis

The CBI lawyer killed J&K incident highlights a systemic issue. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Jammu and Kashmir consistently ranks among the top five states/UTs for road accident fatalities per lakh population .

Key risk factors on NH-44 include:

  • High-speed driving on narrow, winding mountain roads
  • Poor visibility due to fog, landslides, and snow in winter
  • Inadequate crash barriers and outdated signage
  • Mixed traffic—from heavy trucks to motorcycles on a single lane

While infrastructure upgrades are underway, including the Z-Morh tunnel near Banihal, experts argue that enforcement and driver education must improve in tandem .

News of Nabi’s death prompted an immediate response from India’s legal community. The Bar Association of Jammu issued a statement calling his death “a loss to the entire justice system.” CBI Director Praveen Sood expressed “deep sorrow” and announced that the agency will support Nabi’s family .

Meanwhile, colleagues have launched a petition urging the government to install speed-monitoring cameras and emergency response units at high-risk zones along NH-44—turning Nabi’s tragedy into a catalyst for change [INTERNAL_LINK:road-safety-reforms-jk].

Conclusion: A Call for Accountability and Reform

The death of Sheikh Adil Nabi is more than a traffic accident—it’s a stark reminder of the human cost of systemic neglect. While the arrest of the accused driver brings a measure of legal accountability, it doesn’t bring back a devoted public servant or heal a grieving family.

As investigations continue, the CBI lawyer killed J&K case must serve as a wake-up call. Safer roads, stricter enforcement, and better emergency infrastructure aren’t just policy goals—they’re moral imperatives. For the sake of every commuter on NH-44, let Sheikh Adil Nabi’s legacy be the push J&K needs toward safer journeys.

Sources

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