MOAZUM MUHAMMAD
Srinagar, Nov 30: The Justice (Retd) H S Bedi commission has adjourned its probe into the mysterious death of Syed Yousuf Shah alias Haji Yousuf pending the hearing of the case by the Supreme Court next month.
“Further proceedings relating to the Commission will be taken immediately after the final order of the Supreme Court where the case is fixed for hearing on 15th of December. Adjourned to a date to be fixed later,” Justice Bedi said in a one-page statement circulated by the state’s Information Department here this evening.
After setting up his office in Government Guest House, Hari Niwas, official sources said that the one-man Commission of Inquiry of Justice Bedi will seek and examine the records till December 15. The statement said that the first meeting of the Commission was held here yesterday. It said a request has been made to the state government to provide necessary staff and infrastructure to the Commission.
“He (Justice Bedi) has his own approach. Till December 15, he will hold the proceedings and will resume proceedings once the SC hearing in the case is over,” an official associated with the Commission told Greater Kashmir.
The Supreme Court on November 21 listed the case related to the death of National Conference worker Syed Muhammad Yousuf on December 15. The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) had been filed in the Apex Court by Panthers Party legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia seeking a direction for CBI probe into Yousuf’s death.
“Staff has been deputed by Law Department to Justice Bedi commission. Three-four employees have been taken from State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) while the others will be picked up from the High Court,” sources said.
The notification, sources said asking the witnesses to depose before the Commission will be issued in newspapers after the said date.
“A formal statement seeking witness accounts will be issued in newspapers after December 15. All the necessary logistic support has been made available to the Commission. Law secretary GH Tantry held another meeting with Justice Bedi before leaving for Jammu,” the official said adding ‘Personal Assistant has already been deputed to him’.
Pertinently the Commission has been handed over with the records and statements for the inquiry by the Government.
The one-man Commission is probing the death of Syed Muhammad Yousuf who died mysteriously after being handed over to Crime Branch by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his residence. A former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Bedi has been given six weeks to complete the probe and submit report to the state government.
The Commission was appointed by the state government on November 18 to inquire into the mysterious death of Syed Muhammad Yousuf.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 1 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST