Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 5: In a stern direction aimed at ensuring police accountability, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has ordered the Senior Superintendent of Police, Kathua to enquire into the broad daylight attack on a printing press and, if required, ensure registration of an FIR against the miscreants involved.
Justice M A Chowdhary passed the order while hearing a writ petition filed by Mohd Iqbal, resident of Billawar, who alleged that his printing press was vandalised and he was brutally assaulted by a mob on August 16, 2025. Despite identified miscreants being involved, the local police allegedly failed to take any action, forcing the victim to approach the High Court.
The petitioner, represented by Advocates S S Ahmed and Rahul Raina, sought quashing of FIR No.126/2025 registered against him by Police Station Billawar, while also demanding Rs 50 lakh compensation for the alleged illegal acts of the SDPO Billawar, the SHO Billawar and PSI Rahul Sharma.
The petitioner claimed that instead of protecting him, the officers wrongfully arrested him in contravention of Supreme Court guidelines in Arnesh Kumar Vs State of Bihar.
Advocate Ahmed submitted that after a viral video surfaced, a mob gathered outside the petitioner’s establishment, vandalised the printing press, and mercilessly thrashed him and his workers in full public view. Despite repeated pleas, the police officers remained “mute spectators,” allowing the mob to destroy the establishment.
Taking serious note of the allegations, Justice Chowdhary issued notice to the Principal Secretary (Home), DGP J&K, IGP Jammu, SSP Kathua, SDPO Billawar, SHO Billawar and PSI Rahul Sharma, directing them to file their response by or before October 13, 2025.
The Court further made it clear that the SSP Kathua must conduct an independent enquiry and ensure registration of an FIR regarding the injuries caused to the petitioner and the destruction of his property.
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