Legal Correspondent
Srinagar, March 15: High court on Tuesday sought personal appearance of the Investigating Officer in the killing of seven civilians in Saderkoot Bandipora to explain what steps have been taken to arrest the accused of infamous counter insurgents group Ikhwan.
A single bench of Justice Bansi Lal Bhat ordered the police official to appear in person along with the case diaries on next date of hearing. Justice Bhat observed that the investigation is almost complete and search of absconding accused is continuing.
Bench passed the directions while hearing a petition filled by kins of the slain persons. Seven civilians of three families including women and children were killed on October 5, 1996 by government gunmen (Ikhwan) lead by Abdul Rashid Parray [alias Rashid Billa], Wali Mohammad Mir and Mohammad Ayoub Dar, then working for the army.
Earlier Government in its report stated that Abdul Rashid Parray and Wali Mohammad Mir had “deliberately gone into hiding”, and that their “residential houses were raided and reportedly they are absconding”.
The affidavit stated that that SHO of Sumbal Police Station led a police team to locate them outside Jammu and Kashmir. In the case of the third accused Mohammad Ayoub Dar, the Government said he was in the 161st Battalion Territorial Army in Gantamulla, Sheeri, Baramulla and correspondence had been sent to his Commanding Officer.
On this the court sought personal appearance of the IO along with the case diary to ascertain as to weather the IO has initiated necessary steps for getting these two accused declared as proclaimed offenders or not.
Bench said the IO need to explain what steps have been taken by the IO to seek transfer of Mohammad Ayub Dar from Territorial Army of 161 Bn and also lay hands upon other two accused.
The case has been listed for March 22 for further hearing. Earlier the Court directed Sumbal Police Station to file a charge sheet in the case .