MOAZUM MUHAMMAD
Srinagar, Nov 28: The one-man commission of inquiry is set to start its probe into the mysterious death of National Conference worker Syed Muhammad Yousuf alias Haji Yousuf on Tuesday as Justice (Retired) H S Bedi arrived in Srinagar on Monday.
 Official sources told Greater Kashmir that Justice Bedi arrived this afternoon and straightway drove to Government Guest House here.
 “He will formally start the work from Tuesday. A notice will be issued wherein the witnesses will be asked to depose before the commission of inquiry,” sources said.
 The modalities including staff and other requirements, they said, will be looked into for the one-man commission and the demands have not been provided yet.
 “Already a circular has been issued by Government asking the departments to cooperate and facilitate the necessary men and machinery to the commission,” an official told this newspaper.
 Justice Bedi, sources said, will set up his office in civil secretariat and Executive Magistrate Nayeem Ahmad has been nominated as his liaison officer.
 The commission was appointed by the state government on November 18 to inquire into the mysterious death of Syed Muhammad Yousuf, who died on September 30 after being handed over to Crime Branch by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his residence. Justice Bedi has been given six weeks to complete the probe and submit report to the state government.
 Pertinently, a criminal court in Srinagar has already turned down the plea of the deceased’s family to transfer the case to national investigating agency CBI.
 “The one-man commission has powers to summon people and record their statements. Doctors and forensic experts who conducted autopsy will be questioned. Besides, the prime witnesses including Crime Branch chief, MoS Nasir Sogami and even Chief Minister can be called for inquiry,” a senior legal official said.
 However, prime witness in the case who was present at the CM residence at the time of the incident told Greater Kashmir that he has not yet made up his mind to go before the commission.
 “What will be its outcome? I am yet to decide whether I will go before the CoI or not. It (the probe) is just for official purpose and nothing else,” Abdul Salam Reshi of Akingam Kokernag told this newspaper.
 Sayed Muhammad Yousuf of Loktipora Bijebehara, Abdul Salam Reshi of Akingam Kokernag and Muhammad Yousuf of Ganderbal were called by Omar Abdullah to his residence on September 29 to discuss money transaction issue and later handed over to Crime Branch. The deceased had allegedly promised the other two ministerial and MLC berths for a price.
 Since his death, opposition parties have raised the issue, even pointing finger of suspicion towards the Chief Minister. The government immediately ordered a judicial probe and requested the State High Court to appoint a sitting judge to investigate the matter. However, as the Chief Justice turned down the government’s request, the Union Law Ministry suggested the name of retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Bedi, to probe the death.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 IST