Srinagar, Nov 22: The investigating officer of Crime Branch probing the custodial killing of Muhammad Sultan Bhat of Ganderbal informed the High Court that he has received a communication from Army confirming that Major Adjutant M R Nunia and Major Sunny Kurian have shot dead Bhat in 1999.
A Crime Branch probe report had earlier named Major Adjutant S Sehgal, Lance Naik Vikram Singh, and Vinod Kumar of 5 Rashtriya Rifles as the main accused in the case. The report also indicted Ghulam Muhammad Sheikh alias Mama Ikhwani who it said was physically guiding and instructing 5 RR in Ganderbal.
Bhat was picked up during the intervening night of September 19- 20, 1999, by Army’s unit of 5 RR stationed at Ganderbal from his residence with Ghulam Muhammad Sheikh  alias Mama Ikhwani guiding them to Bhat’s house.
The investigating officer told the court of Muzaffar Hussain Attar that the Crime Branch has received communication from the Army authorities stating that Major Adjutant R Nunia and Major Sunny Kurian have shot dead Bhat.
Justice Attar granted two months to IO to complete the probe.
“The IO will also file the latest status report in view of the submissions made by him,” the court said.
Begum Khatija of Batvina Ganderbal had filed a petition in High Court seeking reinvestigation into the case of kidnapping and custodial killing of her son Sultan Bhat.
The petitioner is seeking implementation of the recommendations of SHRC directing the government to reopen the FIR No. 158 of 1999 registered in Police Station Ganderbal.
After the police investigation, the family had approached the DGP with the request of carrying out fresh investigation into the case. The DGP referred the case to Crime Branch.
The petitioner was represented by Advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom while state was represented by Shujaul Haque Tantray.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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