The family of 21-year-old Muslim Muneer, allegedly killed in police custody moved the court for seeking a probe into the alleged custodial killing of her son.
City Court Judge, Ajay Kumar directed Station House Officer (SHO) Crime Branch to register an FIR against Abdul Rashid Munshi Police Station Nowgam & other Police officials involved in the custodial killing to bring the culprits to book.
On the morning of Saturday, Muneer was summoned to the police station Nowgam in a case pertaining to the theft of a two-wheeler. Hours later, he was allegedly dropped home dead, setting off a protest by his family and neighbours.
While the family accused police of custodial killing, the latter rubbished the charge claiming that Muneer died due to a drug overdose. Later, police suspended an official and initiated an inquiry into the death of the youth.
Meanwhile, 64-year-old Shafiqa, Muneer’s mother moved a petition before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) seeking a probe into the alleged custodial killing of her son.
The petition filed by Advocate Tasaduq Hussain Reshi on Shafiqa’s behalf sought directions from SHO Crime Branch, Srinagar to lodge an FIR under relevant provisions of law against “accused persons” and all other unidentified police officials who allegedly tortured Muslim.
The petition also sought direction from the Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Crime Branch, Srinagar to constitute Special Investigation Team (SIT) and conduct an in-depth investigation into the matter and submit a periodical action taken report before the court.
The petitioners also pleaded before the court to direct the SSP Crime Branch, Srinagar, to produce CCTV footage of Police Station Nowgam from the day of the alleged killing, before the court with regards to the whole incident so that the same can be preserved as evidence.
The family alleges that the police officials in order to “cover-up” the accused, have assassinated the character of the Muneer by dubbing him a drug addict in a presser.
Court of City Judge Srinagar, Ajay Kumar, after hearing the arguments of Counsel Advocate Tasaduq Hussain Reshi passed a detailed order.
“SHO PS Crime Branch is directed to get an FIR registered in the case against the accused no. Abdul Rashid and other unknown police official/s of PS Nowgam under the relevant sections of IPC and get the case investigated by an efficient police officer to bring the Culprits to book,” the order read.
