Magisterial Inquiry Ordered Into ‘Alleged Custodial Killing Of Sopore Youth’

ADC Baramulla Appointed Inquiry Officer, Asked To Submit Report In 20 Days

Srinagar, Sept 17 (GNS): District administration Baramulla on Thursday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the “alleged custodial killing of a youth by Sopore police”.  

“There was a huge outcry in Sopore and even it is reported in the media that the deceased was picked up by Sopore police on (September 15) and was therefore in their custody. ..Allegations are leveled against Sopore Police for custodial killing of the subject,” said the deputy commission of the north Kashmir district in an order as he appointed Mohd Ahsaan (KAS), Additional District Magistrate Baramulla, as to conduct a magisterial enquiry to “ascertain the causes and circumstances leading to the death of the youth Irfan Ahmad Dar son of Mohammad Akbar Dar of Sidiq Colony, Sopore.”

He said that the incident was also reported by SSP Sopore vide a communication to September 16.

 “The enquiry officer shall submit his report within a period of 20 days,” reads the order, a copy of which lies with GNS.   

Earlier talking to reporters here, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh said that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range Vijay Kumar has directed Superintendent of Police (SP), Sopore to write a letter to DM Baramulla to order the inquiry.

Kumar who flanked the top police officer of J&K at a presser said Irfan was arrested by police on Tuesday afternoon.

However, Kumar said, when he was taken for arms and ammunition as disclosed by him, he managed to escape under the cover of darkness. Later during the search of the area body of Irfan was recovered. “He escaped when he was pointing towards the area where according to him arms were dumped,” IGP said.

Since he was not having any weapon there was no exchange of fire, Kumar said adding the body was later taken hospital for postmortem and other legal formalities. The family of the victim has already contested the police claims.

 “Our residence has CCTV cameras and you can check the recordings of month a d a half and if you find any clue, I’m ready to face any punishment you may pronounce,” said Dar’s brother who was also arrested and let off by police after his health condition according to him deteriorated in the police custody. “you punish me also if anything (subversive) is found from our mobile phones which are lying with the police.”

Speaking to the reporters inside his residence soon after Irfan’s death, he said that he was released at 11p.m. and the family was told to take him home “after my health condition worsened”. “He (Irfan) was arrested at 12:45 hours while I was arrested at 4 p.m. saying that there was (militant) at your residence. No recovery (of ammunition) was made as claimed by the police. Civilians accompanied them (police during raid). Ten days ago they said there is the person (militant) hiding in your residence and we told them to check the CCTVs.” (GNS)