Srinagar, Oct 30: Authorities on Saturday shifted Dr Muhammad Qasim Faktoo from Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) Humhama to Central Jail following a court order.
 The principal district and sessions Judge Bansi Lal Bhat this morning had directed the state government to shift Dr Faktoo from JIC Humhama.
 Dr Faktoo’s counsels, Mir Shafaqat Hussain,  Bashir Siddique and advocate Mir Urfee had submitted before the court that he should be lodged in Central Jail and not at JIC. They had argued that power to keep the accused in the judicial lockup vested with Sessions Court and not with the state government. After hearing their arguments court directed the in-charge JIC to shift Faktoo to Central Jail Srinagar.
 Shafaqat said the Intelligence agencies had approached the court to reconsider the order saying that Home Department had ordered to lodge Dr Faktoo at JIC. However, court rejected their plea, he added.
 Meanwhile, court also fixed Dr Faktoo’s case, in which he had been charged with commission of offences under 13 Unlawful Activities Act, for orders on November 11.
 The case has been committed by the munsif court to principal district and sessions court as it lacks jurisdiction to hear the case, Hussain told Greater Kashmir.
 “Power lies with Sessions Court to hear the case with charges of such magnitude (13 ULA Act) and not with munsif court,” he added.
 Pertinently, on June 3, 2008, the Government had constituted a review board comprising then DGP Prisons and Principal District and Sessions Judge Srinagar, to consider Dr Faktoo's release under the provision of J&K Jail Manual, 2000.
 Though the Review Board after examining all aspects of the case had recommended Dr Faktoo’s release last year, the Government opposed its implementation saying the Board had erroneously considered the matter which was outside its scope.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 31 Oct 2010 00:00:00 IST