Kashmir fake encounter probe panel gets 5 complaints so far

Srinagar, June 26 (UNI) The Justice Makhan Lal Kaul Commission of Inquiry, probing the alleged custodial killings and fake encounters in Jammu and Kashmir, has so far received only five complaints, but even those do not fall within the purview of its reference.

Talking to UNI, Justice Makhan Lal Kaul, a retired judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, said the Commission had received only five complaints till June 24.

The Commission had fixed June 24 as the last date for receiving complete particulars of complaints and allegations from individuals, groups of people, associations or organisations, giving specific instances of misuse of authority of power committed, abetted or directed by public servants in the alleged custodial killings and fake encounters in the state.

However, Justice Kaul said these complaints do not fall within the purview of the reference of the Commission.

The Commission would thoroughly examine these complaints, he said, adding the next date of hearing has been fixed for July 18.

The Commission, headed by Justice Kaul, was earlier scheduled to hold its first public sitting on June 4 to consider the terms of reference, draft regulation of its procedure and tentative programme in the presence of parties interested.

However, the sitting turned out to be a damp squib as nobody came forward to file a complaint. The Commission then announced June 24 as the new date for the public sitting.

The Jammu and Kashmir government had on April 2 appointed the Commission through a notification SRO No 123 to look into the allegations of custodial killings and fake encounter, including that of carpenter Abdul Rehman Padder.

The Commission has been asked to probe and find out the causes, circumstances and conspiracy, if any, which led to the death of some people such as Padder, a resident of Larnoo in Kokernag area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir, in the alleged custodial killings and fake encounters.

It has also been asked to fix responsibilities of the persons involved for such killings, and make suggestions and recommendations for preventing recurrence of such incidents.

The inquiry would be in regard to complaints or allegations that may be made before the Commission by any individual or association along with the affidavits.

The Commission would also find out the instances of misuse of authority of power as may be brought to its notice by the state government for inquiry.

UNI