Provide security to woman facing threat from Army: Court

Srinagar, Oct 2 (UNI) A local court has directed the Jammu and Kashmir government to provide proper security to a woman allegedly facing threat from an Army officer and two counter-insurgents after she has filed a case against them for custodial disappearance of her son.

The direction from the Principal District and Session Judge here came after Bakhti alleged that she was being threatened by an officer and two gunmen working with the security forces not to give her statement against them in court.

The counsel for the Bakhti said she cannot record her statement until she is provided with security as directed by the Single bench of the state High Court.

But when the counsel for the accused insisted that court should record her statement, the judge after going through the High Court order, directed the authorities to provide security to her and fixed October 16 as the next date of hearing, asking the prosecuting officer to remain present.

The High Court on September 21 had directed the government to provide security to her and ordered that the woman should depose her statement before the Principal District and Sessions Judge, following her statement that she is being threatened in the Baramulla Court.

However, the High Court has ordered that after recording her statement the case should be transferred back to the court of Principal District and Session Judge Baramulla.

The woman had filed a petition in the High Court about disappearance of her son Manzoor Ahmad Wani, who was arrested by an Army Major from Tragpora Baramulla on December 22, 2001.

The court on August 8, 2006 directed the Principal District and Sessions Judge Baramulla to hold inquiry to ascertain whereabouts of Wani allegedly lifted by Major of 28 Rashtriya Rifles (RR).

On directions of the court, a case of abduction and murder was registered against the Army officer and two others in Sopore police station.

Later, police had produced challan against the civilian accused in the court while challan against Major is awaiting for sanction from the competent authority.

UNI