Missing Army jawan produced in court

Gwalior, Oct 18 (UNI) An Army jawan, who went missing two years ago after his wife complained about molestation attempt by an Army officer, was produced by military police before the Gwalior bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Lance Naik Sheikh Imtiaz was produced yesterday on a directive by a Division Bench of Justice A K Gohil and Justice P K Jaiswal to the Defence Secretary, Army Chief and Lt Col Kharbadar on a habeas corpus petition filed by his wife Razia.

Imtiaz mysteriously disappeared on November 24, 2004 after Razia spurned the Army authorities' request to withdraw a complaint regarding a failed attempt by an Army officer to molest her at a camp where she was summoned.

In a habeas corpus petition, Razia apprehended her husband might have been kidnapped or murdered. Taking cognizance of the petition, notices were issued to the Defence Secretary and other respondents, Earlier, the Army authorities tried to inform the court that the Lance Naik was an 'absconder', but the military police produced him in the court.

The High Court directed the Superintendent of Police to provide Imtia and his wife protection and to submit his medical examination report. Imtiaz has also been told to submit an affidavit.

The court also directed the removal of the Army officer who is probing the incident.

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