Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has dismissed a petition filed by Aijaz Hussain Sahaf, former Executive Engineer, seeking quashing of FIR No. 09/2015 registered by Crime Branch Kashmir in an alleged service-book tampering and date-of-birth manipulation case.
The petitioner had approached the High Court under Section 561-A CrPC seeking quashment of the FIR registered at Police Station Crime Branch, Kashmir, for offences under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 RPC.
The case pertains to allegations that the petitioner manipulated the first page of his service book by changing his date of birth from August 28, 1955 to August 28, 1958. According to the case record, a preliminary inquiry by Crime Branch was earlier closed as “not proved”. However, the matter was simultaneously referred to the department for a departmental inquiry.
The departmental inquiry later concluded that the petitioner had tampered with his service records and changed his date of birth, after which the matter was referred back to Crime Branch for action under law.
The petitioner argued that the FIR was motivated, lodged only to harass him and that the Under Secretary had no locus to lodge the complaint. He also contended that since an earlier inquiry had given him a clean chit, a second FIR on the same facts was not legally sustainable.
Rejecting these submissions, the High Court held that closure of a preliminary verification does not amount to a judicial closure report and cannot prevent registration of an FIR when subsequent material discloses commission of cognizable offences.
The court observed that the investigation had collected important material, including the petitioner’s matriculation certificate, school records, service book, statements of witnesses and a communication from the J&K Board of School Education confirming the petitioner’s date of birth as August 28, 1955.
The court further noted that the most crucial evidence was the FSL report dated July 18, 2014, which opined that the original date of birth of the petitioner was August 28, 1955 and not August 28, 1958, thereby confirming tampering in the service record.
Justice Shahzad Azeem held that where information discloses commission of a cognizable offence, registration of FIR under Section 154 CrPC becomes mandatory. The High Court further held that exoneration or relief in disciplinary proceedings does not automatically entitle an accused to quashing of criminal proceedings, as departmental proceedings are decided on preponderance of probabilities while criminal cases require proof beyond reasonable doubt.
The court made it clear that while exercising inherent jurisdiction, it cannot conduct a mini trial or re-weigh the evidence collected during investigation, as such matters fall within the domain of the trial court.
Dismissing the petition as devoid of merit, the court vacated all interim directions and granted liberty to the Investigating Officer to proceed in accordance with law.
HC refuses to quash FIR against XEn in DoB tampering case
India, Japan exchange of memorandum of cooperation in health, medical devices
NEW DELHI, May 6 : The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) on Wednesday exchanged a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) in the field of health and medical devices.
The development took place during a meeting between Union minister Jitendra Singh and Kimi Onoda, Japan’s minister of state for science and technology policy.
In a statement, Singh said, “India and Japan share a natural synergy in science and technology. While Japan brings advanced technological capabilities, India offers a vast pool of talented human resources.
“Together, we can accelerate innovation in frontier areas and translate research into impactful societal outcomes.”
During the meeting, a letter of intent on cooperation in quantum science and technology was also signed between the Cabinet Office of Japan and DST.
There were also discussions about ongoing initiatives such as researcher mobility and joint innovation platforms, including programmes that enable Indian researchers to undertake collaborative research and industry internships in Japan.
In the field of health research and medical technologies, deliberations focused on expanding cooperation through joint research programmes, capacity building and structured funding arrangements.
In a statement, Onoda said, “Japan’s strengths in advanced manufacturing and computational technologies, including quantum and AI, align closely with India’s expanding technology ecosystem.”
“The agreements exchanged during the meeting, particularly in quantum technologies and health research, will promote deeper collaboration spanning research, application and industrial deployment,” she added. (PTI)
NIA gets 7-day custody of Shah
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: The Special NIA court has remanded Shabir Ahmed Shah to further police custody in connection with case RC-01/2026/NIA/JMU, arising out of the alleged Naaz Crossing mob violence incident of July 17, 1996.
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The order was passed by Special Judge NIA Prem Sagar after the accused, Shabir Ahmed Shah, son of Ghulam Mohd Shah, resident of Anantnag and presently residing at Sanat Nagar, Srinagar, was produced before the court by CIO NIA DySP Ankit Rohilla.
The NIA had sought further custody of the accused for ten days, submitting that the investigation was still in progress and that important leads were required to be pursued. After examining the latest entries in the case diary and hearing the submissions of the prosecution, the court observed that the accused was prima facie involved in offences punishable under Sections 147, 148, 336, 341, 307, 332 and 427 RPC, besides Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Sections 7/27 of the Arms Act.
According to the prosecution, the NIA has recorded the statement of a second protected witness. The agency submitted that, during investigation, the accused allegedly admitted that he was leading the mob on July 17, 1996, along with other Hurriyat leaders. However, the prosecution further stated that the accused had not disclosed the identity of the terrorists who were allegedly part of the mob and had started firing upon police officials.
The NIA also informed the court that responses from CID, Jammu and Kashmir, and Doordarshan Srinagar are still awaited. The agency has sought archival material and other relevant records connected with the 1996 incident in order to confront the accused with the findings and to unearth the larger conspiracy, if any, behind the incident.
Taking note of the submissions and the stage of investigation, the court observed that the application filed by the NIA needed consideration. Accordingly, the accused was remanded to police custody for seven days till May 12, 2026, with a direction to the Chief Investigating Officer to expedite the investigation.
The court further directed the CIO to strictly comply with all provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) relating to custody of the accused. It also ordered that the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in Arnesh Kumar, Satinder Kumar Antil and D.K. Basu be followed in letter and spirit. The court also directed that the accused be medically examined after every 48 hours as per rules.
JKHCBAJ formally registered with Registrar of Cooperatives
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu (JKHCBAJ) has been formally registered with the Registrar of Cooperatives after 99 years of its establishment.
The registration certificate was formally handed over to the office bearers of the Association by Neelam Khajuria, Joint Director, Registrar of Societies, Jammu, in the presence of the Chief Justice Arun Palli, along with Justice Sindhu Sharma, Justice Rajneesh Oswal, Justice Rahul Bharti, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, Justice Rajesh Sekhri, Justice Mohd Yusaf Wani and Justice Shahzad Azeem.
The gathering, in one voice, appreciated the dedicated efforts of the Bar Association and its office bearers including President Nirmal Kotwal, Vice President Baldev Singh, General Secretary Pardeep Majotra, Joint Secretary Anshu Mahajan and Treasurer Rahul Aggarwal in achieving this long awaited registration.
2 more bodies in Mughal road accident recovered
* Six hurt in another mishap
Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, May 6: The remaining two bodies of father and son in Mughal road cab accident were today recovered by the search and rescue operation team from the gorge while six persons were injured today in an another road accident in Sathra area of Tehsil Mandi in district Poonch.
Official sources said that a commercial Maruti Swift vehicle, bearing registration number JK12D-9578 which met with an accident between Chattapani and Ratta Chamb area of Mughal Road on Monday was traced on Tuesday after an information of its missing was received. Two dead bodies identified as Shoket Hussain (Driver), son of Mohd Iqbal, resident of Hari Budha and Abdul Majeed, son of Muneer Hussain, resident of Mangnar, Poonch were recovered on the same day, one body was traced but could not be retrieved due to darkness and tough conditions. Another missing body was traced today.
Sub Divisional Magistrate Surankote, Farooq Khan Nazki said that the traced body of Akbar Hussain, son of Ghulam Haider was today lifted after the operation was today resumed, while the body of his son Mohd Bashir was also recovered later after which the search and rescue operation was called off at about 01:15 PM today.
“There were only four persons travelling in the vehicle including driver and three persons from the same family with a CA patient along” he added.
CMO Poonch, Pervaiz Ahmed Khan and BMO Surankote, Dr Yousuf said that the bodies were handed over to families after performing legal formalities.
Meanwhile a mini-bus, bearing registration number JK12C-8927 collided with a car ( No. JK12B-9874) in Sathra area of Tehsil Mandi in which six persons were injured.
All the injured were taken to SDH Mandi from where two were shifted to DH Poonch. Medical Superintendent, Dr Shafiq said that one injured lady, identified as Fatima Bi was referred to GMC Rajouri for advance treatment, another injured was treated and kept under observation there for some time. Police has taken cognizance of the matter.
Health employees warn of token strike over salary deductions
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: A meeting of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Health and Medical Colleges employees was held today at the office of Jammu Kashmir Medical Employees Federation to discuss deduction of two-and-a-half days salary of employees working on Sundays, gazetted holidays and roster duties under SRO 274 HME 1991.
JKMEF president Jaswinder Singh briefed members about progress on committee reports and said the process was moving very slowly despite assurances earlier given by Health Minister Sakina Itoo.
Chairman JKMEF Sushil Sudan and other members said more than a month had passed since the assurance was given, but no concrete action had been taken so far. Members from the Pharmacy Council of India also voiced concern over delay in resolving the issue.
Arun Kumar Sharma, JKMEF president for GMC Jammu, said that while the Government was deducting salaries of employees, staff members were continuously performing Sunday, gazetted holiday and roster duties round the clock. He added that the Government had failed to address the salary issue despite repeated demands.
The members of the JAC unanimously resolved that if the Government failed to settle the matter, the committee would have no option but to again observe a token strike in all health institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.
Those present in the meeting included Perfulat Singh, general secretary JKMEF, Nadim, vice president JKMEF, Harpal Singh, president X-Ray, Dheraj Sharma, president JKMEF Udhampur, Arun Kohli, president Lab Technician, Harpreet Kour, president SMGS, Bhagwan Dass, Gharu Singh and Sanjay Chaudary.
Criminal detained under PSA
Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, May 6: Police here today detained an alleged hardcore criminal under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) for his continued involvement in organised criminal activities.
The accused, identified as Tufail Ahmed, son of Ali Mohammad, resident of Kabbi Jagir Gandhri in Ramban, had been repeatedly booked in multiple FIRs across various Police Stations in Jammu division.
According to cops, despite several arrests, he continued to engage in unlawful activities, posing a serious threat to public peace and order, particularly in Dharamkund area.
Sources informed that the existing legal measures proved insufficient to deter his activities, prompting authorities to invoke preventive detention under PSA. Acting on the dossier prepared by the Police, District Magistrate Ramban issued formal detention orders.
The operation was carried out by cops from Police Station Dharamkund, led by SHO, Inspector Joginder Singh Chib under the supervision of SDPO Gool and overall supervision of SSP Ramban, Arun Gupta.
Power shutdown
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: Superintending Engineer (Distribution) JPDCL O&M Circle Kathua has informed that the power supply to Jatwal and adjoining areas will remain affected on May 07 and 09 from 7 am to 1 pm.
Conquering Zojila Barrier
For most of the world, distance has become an abstraction. Motorways, high-speed rail, and modern logistics have compressed geography into irrelevance. Yet for the people of Ladakh, the tyranny of distance – and more acutely, of altitude – has persisted well into the twenty-first century. Each winter, when snow seals the Zojila Pass for five to six gruelling months, an entire region is effectively cut off from the nation it belongs to. Medical emergencies become life-or-death gambles. Supply chains collapse. Families are separated. For Ladakh, the calendar has long been divided not into seasons but into connected and disconnected. That reality is now on the cusp of change. At 13.15 kilometres, the Zojila Tunnel – soon to achieve its breakthrough with a mere 210 metres remaining – will become Asia’s longest bi-directional road tunnel. It is not merely an engineering milestone; it is a promise, long overdue, finally being kept. The socio-economic implications are profound. Drass and Kargil, historically among India’s most isolated communities, stand to benefit most immediately. Reliable, year-round connectivity means a dependable flow of essential goods, medicines, and commercial traffic. Tourism, a sector brimming with untapped potential across Ladakh’s breathtaking landscape, will no longer be hostage to seasonal accessibility. Entrepreneurs, healthcare workers, and students will find in this tunnel not just a road, but opportunity itself.
One must also acknowledge the sheer human endeavour behind this achievement. Over 1,400 personnel – the overwhelming majority drawn from local communities-have laboured ceaselessly in temperatures plunging to -45 Degree Celsius. Avalanches have struck without mercy; lives have been lost. That construction has pressed forward despite such adversity is a testament to the extraordinary resolve of engineers, contractors, and the executing agency alike. Credit where it is most certainly due.
The strategic dimension, too, cannot be understated. Recent tensions along India’s northern borders have underscored what military planners have long understood: rapid, all-weather access to Ladakh is a matter of national security, not merely regional convenience. The tunnel will enable swift deployment of troops and heavy equipment – a capability that geography has historically denied. Yes, the completion date has slipped to 2028. But when that final metre is broken through, and the two ends finally meet, Ladakh will not simply gain a tunnel. It will gain the future. Waiting has been too long, but the end result will change the dynamics altogether.
Secretary, PWD Ladakh Reviews Progress of Leh and Kargil Bhawans in New Delhi
Excelsior correspondent
NEW DELHI, May 06 : Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary, Secretary, Public Works Department (PWD), Union Territory of Ladakh, conducted a comprehensive review of the ongoing construction of Leh Bhawan and Kargil Bhawan in New Delhi—projects of significant public importance for the Union Territory.
A detailed review meeting was convened at the Conference Hall of Ladakh Bhawan, New Delhi, wherein the Secretary undertook a thorough assessment of all ongoing works. Project-wise progress was examined in both financial and physical terms.
Executing agencies presented detailed status reports, outlining achievements, constraints and projected timelines for completion.
During the meeting, Choudhary critically reviewed each component of the projects and emphasized the need for enhanced inter-agency coordination, strict adherence to approved timelines and proactive resolution of issues impeding progress.
He underscored that timely execution is essential given the public significance of these infrastructure assets.
Subsequently, the Secretary carried out on-site inspections of the Leh and Kargil Bhawan project sites at Dwarka, New Delhi.
During the inspections, he reviewed the progress of civil, electrical, and allied works, and interacted with the Superintending Engineer, CPWD, Executive Engineers of CPWD, and officers of PWD Ladakh present at the sites.
Choudhary stressed that such prestigious projects must be completed within the stipulated timelines. He issued on-the-spot directions to concerned officials to expedite pending works, remove bottlenecks on priority, and ensure close and continuous monitoring of progress.
The review meeting and inspections were attended by the Chief Engineer, PWD Ladakh; Superintending Engineers of PWD Leh and Kargil; Executive Engineers of the Construction Divisions Leh and Kargil; and other concerned officials from CPWD and PWD Ladakh.