Kunal Shrivatsa
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 28: The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) has granted extension to the committee probing allegations against Probationer DySP, at present SHO Police Station (PS)Kathua, of custodial torture of a CRPF jawan on March 22 last.
The new date for submission of the enquiry report now has been fixed as April 2.
The CJM extended the deadline after receiving a request in this connection from the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kathua, Khalil Ahmed Poswal, who was appointed as Enquiry Officer following a Court's direction on March 25 last and was asked to submit a detailed report within two days while further ordered to put up the same on March 28.
However, instead of submitting the report today, the Enquiry Officer moved a plea before the CJM Kathua through CPO Court Kathua, wherein he requested for extension of the deadline for seven more days to submit a detailed report in the matter of Hurmat Singh, son of Mulkh Raj of village Chainpura, Dhanni Bakhta, Tehsil & District Kathua, against Probationer DySP, at present posted as SHO PS Kathua, Mohd Idrees.
Though the Enquiry Office had sought a week's time, the Court directed him to finalize the probe by April 2 thereby extending the period of enquiry for five more days only.
In his petition, the Enquiry Officer stated that in order to record statements of the other persons acquainted with the facts of the matter more time is needed adding that communication was made to the persons concerned and on their arrival enquiry shall be finalized on merits.
He further said in the petition that DySP Headquarters Kathua had already got conducted the medical check up of complainant Hurmat Singh at District Hospital, Kathua and a medical opinion in this regard is awaited.
"Taking cognizance of the Enquiry Officer's plea of extending the deadline for one more week to record the statements of all the eyewitnesses, which is, otherwise a time consuming process, the Court partially agreed to extend the period for only five more days," Advocate Ajatshatru Sharma, Counsel for Hurmat Singh, told Early Times.
It is worthwhile to mention here that the Enquiry Officer was directed to check the veracity of the alllegations of illegal confinement and torture leveled by CRPF constable Hurmat Singh, 34, against Probationer DySP Mohd Idrees and four of his subordinates. |
