Custodial death, HC asks JK govt to file objection

Srinagar May 2: Jammu and Kashmir High court has directed the authorities to file objections in the alleged custodial death of a State Forest Corporation (SFC) driver.

A single judge bench of the High court gave the direction on a petition filed by one Ghulam Muhammad Mir of Rainawari alleging that his son Bilal Ahmad Mir was killed by the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the state police on January 18, 2001 after his arrest.

He said in the petition that his son was working as a driver in the SFC.

In January 2001 when he was on his official duty along with Divisional Manager SFC Mohammad Yousuf the car he was driving was intercepted by security forces near bypass. They were abducted but released later.

The petition said an FIR who lodged in police station Parimpora for abduction against the security forces.

Counsel for petitioner Mian Abdul Qayoum, president of the Kashmir Bar Association, informed the court that instead of taking action against the security forces, Bilal was handed over to SOG Humhama Camp.

Later, his body was recovered from Ganderbal, the area where four innocent people, including Abdul Rehman Padder were killed in fake encounters and later labelled as Lashker-e-Toiba militants.

police have arrested 13 police officials, including two senior officers, involved in these fake encounters.

The judge after hearing the arguments issued direction to the government to file objection within four weeks.

The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has also directed the police to probe the killing of Mir. However, no action was taken by the SSP Badgam, the petitioner alleged.

UNI