Srinagar, June 10: The family of Jaleel Andrabi, allegedly killed by Major Avtar Singh in 1996, today said they will continue to strive for justice as Major Singh alone was not responsible for killing of Andrabi.
“He (Major Avtar) killed an innocent and then fled to California to evade trial he was to face here for the murder,” Advocate Arshad Andrabi, brother of Jaleel Andrabi told Greater Kashmir.
 “He was a killer but had he been arrested on time and produced before the court, situation would have been different” Arshad said and added that they were pained to learn about another heinous crime committed by Major Avtar Singh by murdering his innocent family members including children back in California. “This reflects the savage mentality of the Major Singh,” he said.
 Arshid said the USA government, Interpol, and government of Indian and Jammu and Kashmir government are responsible for the killings of the family members of Major Avtar Singh as nothing was done to extradite him to face trial here.
 “Orders passed by the courts were not complied with by the government and the law enforcing agencies acted in a dilatory way to carry out the investigation which deprived us of justice,” Andrabi added.
 He said his family would continue to fight for justice as Avtar Singh was not alone responsible for the killing of his brother - Jaleel Andrabi.
 “We have already moved an application before the trial court seeking further investigation into the matter as the main accused was accompanied by others who all are accused of committing the heinous crime. We will challenge dismissal of the application in High Court,” he said.
 Senior Advocate and High Court Bar Association President, Mian Abdul Qayoom said Avtar Singh had killed Jaleel Andrabi and was culpable of a murder but the criminal justice system failed to deliver justice to the victim family.
 “With his death, his trial is over but trial of other accused could be held if the court directs for further investigation into the case,” Qayoom said.
 Counsel for Jaleel Andrabi family, Mir Hafeezullah said the family never wanted death of the accused in such circumstances but wanted him to be punished through criminal justice system.
 Mir, however, said the family would file a revision petition before the High Court against the trial court order dismissing the application filed by it seeking further probe into the matter.
 “There are others who have helped Avtar Singh in committing the murder of Jaleel Andrabi and all of them need to be brought to justice,” he said.
 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 had directed extradition of the accused Major from USA.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 10 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 10 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST