Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 17: Special Judge NIA Sandeep Gandotra today framed charges against two in a gruesome massacre at Dhangri in Rajouri district in which four persons were killed and seven were injured on January 1, 2023.
After hearing both the sides, the Special Judge observed, “the allegations against the accused persons Nisar Ahmed alias Haji Nisar and Mushtaq Hussain alias Chacha are very serious and there is sufficient material on record to show prima facie that accused persons in furtherance of criminal conspiracy not only harbored the terrorists and gave them food & shelter but they also acted as a guide and helped the terrorists, involved in the gruesome massacre at Dhangri, in reaching the hideout”.
“They were in constant touch with terrorist for approximately three months and did not tell anybody about them despite getting many opportunities. They also utilized the services of a minor for their illegal activities. On taking the material on its face value, this court is of the opinion that there is a prima facie case against the accused persons and charges have to be framed against them”, the Special Judge said.
“The statements on record are taken at their face value and their truth or veracity has not to be judged at the charge stage. Even a strong suspicion found on material before the court is sufficient to frame the charge”, the Special Judge further said.
The court further observed, “if the broad probabilities of the case and the total effect of the evidence collected by the CIO and the documents produced before the court are to be taken into consideration, prima-facie there is sufficient material against the accused to charge them for the commission of offences in this case”.
Accordingly, accused Nisar Ahmed has been charged for the commission of offences Sections 120-B & 201 of IPC; U/s 18, 19, 20, 38 & 39 of UAP Act & U/s 83 of Juvenile Justice Act. Accused Mushtaq Hussain has been charged for the commission of offences Sections 120-B of IPC; U/s 18, 19 & 39 of UAP Act & U/s Section 83 of Juvenile Justice Act.
The accused persons, who are lodged at Central Jail Kot Bhalwal Jammu, have been asked in presence of their counsels, through virtual mode whether they plead guilty or claim to be tried. The accused persons have pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried.
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