Srinagar, Nov 28: The paramilitary  BSF has decided to set up a General Security Forces Court (GSFC) this week to put on trial its officer and a constable accused of killing a teenaged boy-Zahid Farooq-- in unprovoked firing on city outskirts  here early this year.
The GSFC is likely to be constituted on Tuesday or Wednesday to begin court martial proceedings against commandant R K Birdhi and Constable Lakhvinder Kumar, BSF sources said.
The sources said although the case was transferred from the civilian court to GSFC on November 25, there were some procedural formalities to be completed before the trial of the two accused personnel could begin.
In view of the notification issued by the Central government with regard to disturbed areas in the country, including Jammu and Kashmir, the security forces are to be treated as being on active duty in any part of these states, Bourney had said while announcing the order.
"The notification is for a period of three years and the instant occurrence has taken place within that period. This court has no option but to transfer the case to General Security Forces Court," the judge said.
Farooq was killed in a firing incident by the troops of 68 battalion of BSF on February 5 this year, which led to widespread protests and five days of shutdown in the Valley.
Birdhi and Kumar emerged as suspects after investigations conducted by the police and an internal inquiry by BSF.
While Kumar was handed over to police in February, Birdhi surrendered before the police in March this year.
In April, BSF moved an application seeking transfer of the case to GSFC under Section 80 of the BSF Act claiming that the accused personnel were on active duty when the incident took place.
The Special Public Prosecutor had opposed the transfer saying that killing someone in unprovoked firing cannot be considered as active duty. Birdhi and Kumar have already been given into BSF custody following court orders. "The accused personnel were handed over to the BSF authorities in the evening of November 25 in compliance with the court order," the sources said, adding, the process of getting documents and evidence related to the case has been set in motion.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST