Friday, Mar 29th 2024
Trending News

It is a case of an Army officer, not an ordinary criminal: SC halts Shopian firing probe, J-K govt says Major Aditya not named in FIR

By FnF Correspondent | PUBLISHED: 05, Mar 2018, 15:25 pm IST | UPDATED: 06, Mar 2018, 9:25 am IST

It is a case of an Army officer, not an ordinary criminal: SC halts Shopian firing probe, J-K govt says Major Aditya not named in FIR New Delhi: The investigation into the death of three civilians killed in army firing in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian in January has been put on hold by the Supreme Court today.

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday told the Supreme Court that Major Aditya Kumar was not named in the Shopian firing FIR, as the court put on hold till April 24 the probe into the incident that left three civilians dead.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Kumar’s father, lieutenant colonel Karamveer Singh, who wanted the FIR quashed. The court had on February 12 stayed criminal proceedings against Kumar after Lt Col Singh said his son was performing his duty and had been “wrongly and arbitrarily” named.

“Let the matter be listed for final disposal on April 24. In the meantime, there shall be no investigation on the basis of FIR till then,” a bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justice AM Khanwilkar and justice DY Chandrachud said.

Asking the police not to go ahead with proceedings, the court said the case involved an army officer and not an ordinary criminal. “This does not mean he has the licence to kill,” the counsel for the state government said, objecting to the stay on proceedings.

The FIR accuses the 10 Garhwal Rifles unit of murder, attempt to murder and endangering life.

The court’s order means police cannot summon the soldiers for interrogation or ask them to participate in investigations into the incident. The Centre had argued that police could not have instituted an FIR against Kumar without its permission.

Saying that Kumar was not named in the FIR as an accused, the state government told the court the Centre’s nod was not required to probe an allegation. The permission would be needed at the time of filing of charge sheet, it said.

The FIR had created a huge uproar and pitted ruling partners PDP and BJP against each other in the border state.

Three civilians were killed when the army opened fire at a mob in Ganaupora village in Shopian on January 27, prompting the chief minister to order an inquiry.

The army said it opened fire in self-defence after a convoy was pelted with stones by protesters who allegedly tried to snatch the weapon of a soldier and lynch him.

The BJP, which is part of the ruling alliance in the state, raised strong objections. Ms Mufti said the action was taken after consultations with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Meanwhile, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police S P Vaid here on Monday said nothing is achieved through terror except loss of lives.

“Dehashatgardi se kuch nahin milita,” he told media persons here while talking about the death of six people in Shopian on Sunday night. “Apney dekha, chheh bodies hein. Gun uthaney se, dehashatgardi se janey jati hein, hasil kuch nahin hota,” (You have seen there are six bodies. Nothing is achieved by picking up the gun and through terror), he said. When asked about one more local youth returning home after leaving the gun, DGP hoped that other mothers will also appeal their sons, who have joined militant ranks to return home.

About the six people killed in Shopian, he said that two of them are terrorists and police are investigating as to who are the other four. Two weapons have been recovered and details regarding ammunition etc are coming, he added. When asked about Army claims that they were overground workers accompanying the terrorists, he said that police are investigating into the matter.

Referring to the chain of events, he said that as per Army’s version, they had laid an ambush outside their camp. Two vehicles came and on being asked to stop, people sitting inside them opened fire on the Army naka.

The army retaliated and in the process, six people got killed, he added. The police are investigating into the matter, he said, adding that situation in Kashmir was normal. About Rohingyas, DGP said that Government of India will take a call on it as the matter involved two nations.
Editor's Blog

Farmers, Shahrukh and Putin, a blockbuster week

by : Priti Prakash

The farmers have marched back to Delhi with their demands, for which they sat on roads leading to th...

Quick Vote

How is the economic policy of the Modi government?