Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 25: A police officer and a constable were suspended today and departmental inquiry has been initiated against them for threatening and misbehaving with the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Anantnag, Abdul Nasir Bhat, in Anantang two days ago.
Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, N P Vasanthakumar, has directed the Police to register a criminal case against the police officer.
In his complaint to SSP Anantnag through prosecution, the CJM has alleged that he along with his daughter and PSO Aijaz Ahmad Khan were returning back from Mattan towards his residence when an SOG party headed by Sub Inspector Gowher Malla intercepted them at Sarnal at KP Road in Anantnag district.
The complainant said that after being stopped by SOG, his PSO informed them that CJM is in the vehicle. He said that despite the disclosure the police officials and the said officer demanded identity card from him.
The CJM said that he personally informed them about his identity but, he alleged, that the cops rebuked and misbehaved with him and also tortured him.
The complainant further said that he along with his daughter and PSO were “wrongfully confined for 25 minutes and threatened of dire consequences”.
The Principal District and Sessions Judge, Anantnag had forwarded the complaint of the CJM Anantnag against Police officer to the High Court.
The complaint received by the High Court reads: “On 23rd July, 2015 at around 2200 hrs the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Anantnag was returning in his official vehicle along with his daughter and PSO to his residence, when his vehicle was intercepted near Forest Check Post at Sarnal KP Road Anantnag by Sub Inspector, Gowhar Malla of SOG/JIC Anantnag alongwith his Security Guards. Despite disclosing his identity the concerned police Sub Inspector and his Security Guards misbehaved with the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who was not allowed to proceed in his direction for about 25 minutes and was also threatened of dire consequences.”
Chief Justice of the High Court took serious note of the complaint and has sought a detailed report from Police. The High Court directed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Anantnag, to register a criminal case against Sub Inspector and also to intimate about the departmental action taken against the erring cops.
A statement issued from the High Court said that police officer and a constable have been suspended and a departmental inquiry has been initiated against them. “Due to the intervention of the High Court, SI Gowhar Rashid Malla, PID No. AR)P109410 and Constable Fayaz Ahmad No. 1604/A have been placed under suspension with immediate effect and a departmental enquiry has been initiated into the matter under Rule 359 of J&K Police Manual which has been entrusted to Addl. SP Anantnag. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Anantnag, has also put the accusation and substance of the complaint before the District Magistrate, Anantnag, for further course of action as laid down in Rule 349 of J&K Police Manual”, the statement reads.
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