Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 17: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the personal appearance of the Investigating Officer (SHO Police Station Billawar) along with the CD file with regard to the investigation being carried out in FIR No. 0032 of 2025 dated 09-03-2025 (infamous Makhan Din’s custodial torture case).
The court also issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Home Department, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, CBI through its Director; DGP J&K, IGP Jammu Zone, SSP Kathua and SHO Police Station Billawar. The notices were accepted by Senior AAG Monika Kohli, who was granted one week’s time to file the response.
These directions were passed in a writ petition filed by Mohd Mureed (father of Makhan Din) and Juna Begum (widow of Makhan Din), both residents of village Bhatodi, Tehsil Billawar seeking transfer of investigation of case FIR No.0032 of 2025 dated 09-03-2025 to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) so that the investigation is conducted fairly/independently and in an impartial manner.
Advocate Appu Singh Salathia appearing for the petitioner submitted before the High Court that on the directions of the Sub-Judge (Special Mobile Magistrate), Kathua, the SHO Police Station, Billawar on 09-03-2025 registered FIR No. 0032/2025. However, the names of Police officials who brutally tortured Makhan Din and his father were not mentioned in the appropriate Column-7 of the FIR when in the complaint the names of Mohd Shafi, Lucky, Harish and Jugal were mentioned.
After considering the detailed arguments of Advocate Appu Singh Salathia, Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal directed that passing of interim direction is deferred for the time being, however, the same shall be considered on the next date of hearing. On the request of the counsel appearing for the petitioner, the Court directed the Registry to list this case again on April 25, 2025. The Court also directed the personal appearance of the Investigating Officer along with CD file on the next date of hearing.
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