Srinagar, Sept 10: A single bench of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Thursday reserved its judgment on the bail plea of former SHO Shopian and sub-inspector, arrested in connection with the rape and murder of Asiya Jan and Neelofar.
Justice Sunil Hali reserved the judgment after the case was heard on the bail applications filed on behalf of the former SHO, Shafiq Ahmad, and former sub inspector, Gazi Abdul Karim. The advocate-general, Muhammad Ishaq Qadri, argued that the bail plea be rejected as the policemen had acted irresponsibly after the incident. “They didn’t register FIR after the bodies were found with injuries on them. The SHO was the in-charge of the police station and he was trained and experienced to deal with such situation. But he didn’t secure the evidence in the case.”
In this case, Qadri said, the court should entertain the same objections which the State filed against the bail plea of suspended Superintendent of Police, Javid Iqbal Matoo, and his deputy, Rohit Baskotra.
The advocate general also presented the notification in the Court regarding the government decision to hand over the case to Central Bureau of Investigation.
Senior additional advocate general, Ali Muhammad Magray, said the police officers should approach the Sessions Court Shopian for seeking bail.
Counsel for the petitioners, Advocate Muhammad Naseem, argued that the police officers be released on bail. He said the SIT has failed to produce any evidence against the officers.
The Court also sought opinion from noted law practitioners including Hakeem Ishtiyaq and Ghulam Ahmad Lone about the role police had when it found the bodies of two victims with injury marks. The Court also sought a written report of the case from advocate general.
On Tuesday, the Bench had also reserved its judgment on the bail plea of other two accused, former SP Shopian and his deputy, after hearing arguments from Bar Association and the counsel for petitioners.
The four officials were arrested on July 15 on the directions of the Division Bench of High Court for allegedly destroying evidence in the case. The SIT has to file the charge sheet against them till Friday as they will complete 60 days in custody failing which they would be entitled to a statutory bail.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 IST