Justice delayed is justice denied, a well articulated saying, seems to be the case with 2003 Nadimarg massacre of Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir by LeT. Victims, ranged from a 65-year-old man to a 2-year-old boy, comprised of 11 men, 11 women, and two small boys, lined up and shot dead by terrorists.
All said and done in the Nadimarg massacre case, the police had registered FIR 24/2003 under sections 302, 450, 395, 120-B, 427 RPC 7/27 Arms Act at Police Station Zainapora on March 24, 2003 and trial is on despite lapse of two decades. Police filed a challan before the trial court at Pulwama , as many as 38 witnesses were cited in the calendar of witnesses but after creation of Shopian District, the case was transferred to the concerned court for further trial. Keeping in view the terrorism situation only 13 witnesses deposed while remaining witnesses refused to appear despite repeated attempts/ warrants as such in 2011 further recording of witness statements was denied by lower court. It took more than a decade now that HC has set-aside the lower court order and directed the lower court to record witness statements even by video conferencing as some witnesses are residing at Purkhoo Camp, Muthi Camp and Mishriwala in Jammu.
In present scenario, verdict of J&K HC is worth appreciation and confidence builder among minority KP community who feel betrayed time and again due to inordinate delay in providing timely justice. With changed ground situation speedy recording of witnesses and final verdict should not get delayed any further.
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