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Srinagar, Dec 14 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today issued notices to the superintendent and the medical officer of Delhi's Tihar jail, directing them to visit the grave of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder Mohammad Maqbool Bhat who was hanged to death in 1984 and submit a report within six weeks.

A single bench of Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir heard the arguments on a petition filed by the Kashmir Bar Association (KBA) stating that Bhat's grave was being ''dismantled'' to pave the way for construction of a complex in its place.

The KBA was represented by its president Mian abdul Qayoom while Mr Shabir A Naik was the counsel for the Centre.

Justice Mir directed the Tihar jail superintendent and medical officer to visit Jail No. 8 for an on-the-spot inspection of the grave of the JKLF leader.

He also directed them to submit their report to the court about the present position of Bhat's grave within six weeks.

The next date of hearing would be held after two months.

Earlier, the Centre, through its counsel, had submitted that Bhat's grave inside the Tihar jail was intact and ruled out handing over the mortal remains of the JKLF leader to his relatives due to apprehensions that it might create a law and order problem in the strife-torn state.

''There is an apprehension that handing over the mortal remains of Bhat will be turned into an occasion for mass demonstration that can lead to a large-scale law and order problem,'' Mr Naik said.

The KBA had moved the High Court seeking directions to the Centre to hand over the remains of Bhat to his relatives or their representatives for a proper burial as there were reports that his grave had been ''dismantled'' and some construction raised on it.

''It has been wrongly mentioned that the grave of Bhat has been dismantled. In fact, the grave is intact and no construction has been raised over it,'' Mr Naik added.

Seeking dismissal of the petition, he also submitted that Bhat was given a proper Islamic burial and the spot selected for his grave was according to the Punjab Jail Manual.

Bhat was hanged in Tihar jail on February 11, 1984, after being convicted of murdering an intelligence officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

The JKLF and other separatist groups have been demanding that Bhat's remains be returned to his family for burial.

UNI AG YA RAI1905