Srinagar: The State Human Rights Commission has given “last opportunity” to Deputy Commissioner and SSP Ganderbal regarding the alleged custodial killing of a man from Preng area of the central Kashmir district in 2003.
While the Deputy Commissioner is required as per the SHRC orders to file compliance regard relief to the victim family under SRO-43, SSP Ganderbal was to file the status of the investigation into the killing.
On 2 March this year, the SHRC’s chairperson Justice (retd) Bilal Nazki observed: “There is no doubt in my mind that for last so many years no investigation, as a matter of fact, has been made in the case.” The police had sought some time to complete the investigation following which the Commission adjourned the case for a period of one month.
“In the meantime, the family of the deceased may file an application before Dy. Commission Ganderbal for relief available under SRO 43. If such application is made, Dy. Commissioner shall consider the application and pass appropriate orders within a period of two months,” the commission had ordered.
The SHRC was hearing a petition filed by rights activist Ahsan Untoo who alleges that the Special Operation Group (SOG) of Ganderbal on September 11, 2003, had apprehended Abdul Hamid Gani of Preng Kangan and subjected him to physical torture by giving him electric shocks and picking the flesh from his body. The victim died in the custody before a false encounter was shown to cover up the case.
Untoo, according to GNS, submitted that he moved an application before the Dy. Commissioner Ganderbal immediately after the order was passed on 2 March this year. “Neither the response with regard to the status of the investigation is filed by SSP Ganderbal nor the Dy. Commissioner Ganderbal has filed the report in terms of order dated:02-03-2018,” the Commission observed and ordered that “last opportunity of two weeks is given to AAG to file the response for both D.C. & SSP Ganderbal.” The case was listed for further consideration on July 18.
After the petition was filed, SHRC had directed the police to reopen the case and investigate it properly. (GNS)
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