Srinagar, Aug 23:  A local Court on Wednesday asked the Inspector General of Crime and Railways to file the status report of extradition proceedings of Major Avtar Singh, accused of killing noted human rights activist and leading lawyer, Jaleel Andrabi.
 “The status of extradition proceedings are not known, IGP Crime and Railway shall follow the matter and file status report on next date of hearing on September 17, 2011,” reads the court order.
 Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar, today also directed to issue reminder to Secretary Home to expedite the matter saying a lot of delay has already been caused in the matter.
 Counsel for the victim’s family Mir Hafeezullah while pleading the case informed the Court that the prosecution has failed to convey to the Court about the response of the External Affairs Ministry, Home Ministry and Defence Ministry regarding the extradition of the accused Major Avtar Singh.
 Counsel for the victim’s family also argued that prosecution has failed to implement the Court orders which has caused an inordinate delay in the process of extradition of the accused major.
 The counsel told the Court that the IG Crime and Railways, who is the nodal officer of Interpol in Jammu and Kashmir along with the prosecution have not followed the case meticulously and have failed to serve the court orders to the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home and Ministry of Defence. He argued that the dilatory approach has prolonged the case giving the accused a lot of breathing space.
 Pertinently Avtar Singh left India after allegedly murdering Andrabi in March 1996. He went to America via Canada. He was arrested by police in California in February this year following a complaint of domestic violence by his wife. Major Avtar Singh served with the 35 Rashtriya Rifles for many years. 
 A murder case was registered against Major Avtar Singh and others after the victim’s family pursued the matter in the High Court and alleged that the Government was covering up the murder. The case is, however, pending trial before the court of CJM Srinagar for over a decade. The Court has directed extradition of the accused Major from USA. 

Lastupdate on : Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST