Concern in House over Farooq Abdullah case; NC MLA seeks fast-track probe

Suhail Khan

Jammu, Mar 28: National Conference (NC) MLA Irshad Rasool Kar on Saturday voiced concern in the Assembly over the lack of progress in the investigation involving party president Dr Farooq Abdullah, and criticised the government’s handling of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the matter.

Raising the issue, the Sopore legislator said all members of the House were worried about both the status of the investigation and the manner in which the SIT was set up.

“All the legislatures in the House were concerned about the way the special investigation team (SIT) is being made and the way the case of NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah is being handled. There has been no positive report from the government regarding this, nor is there any development in that regard,” Mr Kar said.

He expressed hope that the debate in the House would compel the government to expedite the probe and present a report at the earliest.

“I have full hope that whatever debate has been held here today, the government will pay attention to it. And, Inshallah, as soon as possible, within a month or a month and a half, they will conclude this inquiry and make their reports to the House,” the NC MLA added.

Responding to a query on security arrangements for legislators, Mr Kar said the onus lay with the Union government and expressed confidence that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would fulfil his responsibilities.

“Security is a concern of the Government of India. The Government of India knows very well how to protect the legislatures. The responsibility of running the House, the responsibility of the state, the responsibility of the legislatures and the responsibility of security is in the hands of respected Amit Shah ji,” he said.

“He knows very well that it is his responsibility to protect the people of this state and the life and property of the legislatures. I don’t think he will make any mistake in his responsibility,” MLA Kar added.