Human Shield Case: Police didn’t mention the name of accused in FIR, SHRC seeks reply

SRINAGAR: Jammu Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Wednesdaydirected local police to come up with logical reason as why they registered a normal FIR in human shield case.

The Commission has issued notices to IGP Kashmir, SSP Budgam and SHO police station Beerwah.The Commission issued notices after an application was filed by International Forum for Justice Chairman Muhammad Ahsan Untoo alleging that police have filed a ‘normal’ FIR in human shield case.

“Why police has not mentioned the name of culprit Major Gagoi in the FIR when he himself accepted before print and electronic media that he was responsible for the act. Even, the Indian politicians and top army brass hailed his action. The culprit is admitting before everyone and feeling proud of his inhuman act, and yet his name is absent in the police FIR vide number 38/2017 that stands registered in police station Beerwah,” reads the application submitted by Untoo at SHRC.

The application further reads that it was the prime responsibility of police to mention the name of the culprit in the FIR and presented a Challan against him in the court of law.

 A Division Bench of the Commission has listed the case for hearing on February 28. Farooq Ahmed Dar, a resident of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district was tied to the bonnet of an Army vehicle and taken around 19 villages during the Lok Sabha bypoll on April, purportedly as a shield against stone pelters.

A video grab showed him tied to an Army vehicle, eliciting sharp reactions from civil society. However, the Army backed Major Leetul Gogoi, who had tied Dar, and honoured with him with the Army chiefs Commendation Card for his sustained efforts in counter-insurgency operations. (CNS)