SRINAGAR, Mar 2:
In a significant move, Army officer based at Nagrota will record ‘Summary of Evidence’ in Pathribal Anantnag fake encounter case at Awantipora in the Kashmir valley.
The witnesses and relatives of victims of alleged fake encounter had expressed their inability to travel to Nagrota in Jammu region to record their statement in the case.
Mainstream and separatist organisations, cutting across party lines had demanded that the statement of witnesses in the case be recorded in the Kashmir valley.
A press release issued by the Army here this afternoon said that it has been decided to record the statements of witnesses in Kashmir.
This, it said, has been done in an exceptional effort to ensure free, fair, and transparent trials in Pathribal case.
Army has taken upon itself to facilitate recording of statements of the witnesses including the kith and kins of the deceased, who had earlier expressed inability to travel outside Kashmir, citing the difficulty to travel to Nagrota.
Upholding the principles of justice, in a significant endeavour to facilitate timely conclusion of the case, the officer recording ‘Summary of Evidence’ has been directed to move to Awantipura in south Kashmir for recording the statements of the remaining witnesses.
Army court took over the Pathribal case following orders by Supreme Court from Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, assuring that it will conduct the case.
After hearing the charges preferred by the CBI, the General Officer Commanding 16 Corps who is based at Nagrota, had directed recording of the ‘Summary of Evidence’ against the accused Army personnel.
Accordingly, the summons were served to all the witnesses including the family of the deceased.
Statements of 26 witnesses, including all the Army witnesses and some police as well as Government officials, have been recorded so far.
However, despite repeated summons issued to the civilian witnesses, they have not come forward to depose before the Army court which is unduly delaying the judicial process.
Civilian witnesses, particularly the next of kin of the deceased, expressed their inability to travel to Nagrota to depose before the court citing the reasons of cost and difficulties of journeys.
Some media reports had also highlighted the old age as the reasons for their reluctance to travel to Nagrota.
In consideration of the sensitivity of the case and the difficulties expressed by the remaining witnesses and to impart early justice in the case, the officer recording the evidence will be moved to Awantipura to facilitate the recording of their statements.
Recording of statements at Awantipura will commence from March 5, the statement said adding Army hopes that this extraordinary judicial initiative will help in prompt and indisputable delivery of justice.
Five civilians were killed allegedly by the Army and later declared foreign militants, responsible for the killing of more than 34 Sikhs at Chittisinghpora in Anantnag on March 20, 2000. However, the relatives of deceased persons contested the Army claim and identified them with their clothes after their bodies were exhumed.
Later CBI probe was ordered which confirmed that those killed allegedly by the Army after Chitisinghpora killing were civilians. (UNI)
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