A local court to hear fake encounter case on June 13

Srinagar, June 2 (UNI) Accepting the Army's plea that the case be deferred for some time as senior advocate Anil Bhan will defend the army personnel accused in the fake encounter of a priest, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) fixed the next date of hearing on June 13.

As the case came up for hearing in the court of CJM, the Chief Prosecuting Officer (CPO) said he was ready to argue the case.

The accused police officers, including Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Parihar, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) Bahadur Ram, Assistant Sub-Inspector Farooq Ahmad and other police officers alleged to have killed Moulvi Showkat Ahmad in a fake encounter at Ganderbal last year, were present in the court.

However, the accused army personnel were represented by a junior advocate.

No advocate appeared on behalf of the SSP Parihar and other accused police officials.

Later, CJM said the case will come for next hearing on June 13 after counsel for army personnel said senior advocate Anil Bhan will defend the accused.

Moulvi was allegedly arrested and later killed by accused police and army personnel in a fake encounter at Ganderbal. He was later buried after labeling him as a foreign terrorist.

However, his body was exhumed and he was identified by his family members.

The accused army and police officials are also facing charges of killing three other civilians in fake encounter in the same area last year.

UNI