Srinagar, Feb 16: In the fake encounter case, the High Court Tuesday adjourned the hearing till next week due to absence of State counsel, directing the State to file objections within a week.
 Tariq Ahmad Lone, the accused in the killing of Imaam Showkat Ahmad son of Noor Alam of Banihal in a fake encounter, moved bail application before the court as the proceedings of this case in Principal and District Sessions Court Srinagar were stayed by Apex Court.
 However, court could not hear the case and adjourned the case till next week due to absence of the State counsel and directed him to be present on next hearing for submitting his arguments. Court directed the State to file objections in this regard.
 The case pertains to the killing of an Imaam, Showkat Ahmad Kataria, who was picked up from Zadibal area of the city and shot dead in a fake encounter at Bazipora-Ajas in Bandipora district on October 5, 2006, by Special Operations Group and army. He was dubbed as a Pakistani militant Abu Zahid.
 The DNA test conducted on the body after exhumation had proved that the person buried was an Imaam from Banihal. The DNA samples also matched with his relatives confirming that he was not a Pakistani militant.
 The police had charge sheeted 11 persons, including five cops and five armymen, for the murder. The accused cops, including the then Ganderbal senior superintendent of police H R Parihar, were arrested and are facing trial in this case and killing of a carpenter, Abdul Rehman Padder of Larnu Kokernag.
 The Assistant Solicitor General told Greater Kashmir that the proceedings of this case were stayed before the Principal and District Sessions Court Srinagar by Apex Court.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST