Sopore Youth’s alleged Custodial death: Inquiry Officer yet to submit the report

Srinagar, Oct 19: Despite more than 10 days having passed since the expiry of deadline fixed for submission of inquiry report into the alleged custodial killing of Sopore youth, the inquiry officer has so far failed to submit his report regarding the subject.

Citing the reasons for the delay in submission of the report, the Inquiry Officer Additional Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Mohammad Ahsaan, told news agency KDC that his cook had returned positive for Covid-19 due to which he had to go for self quarantine that delayed the process.

He also said that so far he has not received an Autopsy report of the slain youth which is an additional reason for the delay.

“The Police hospital Srinagar has not so far submitted the Autopsy report, which is of vital importance to ascertain the cause of the death of the youth,” he said.

Pertinently, Irfan Ahmad Dar son of Mohammad Akbar Dar, a resident of Sidiq Colony Sopore in Baramulla district, a shopkeeper by profession was found dead in mysterious circumstances on September 16, after being picked up by Police from his home during a night raid a day earlier.

However, Police in its statement had claimed that the youth was an OGW and had escaped while being taken for recovery of arms.

The statement said,”The OGW while taking advantage of darkness and terrain managed to escape regarding which a separate Case FIR No. 71/2020 U/S 224 IPC was registered in Police Station Bomai and during search, the body of OGW was found near Stone Quarry of Tujjar-Sharief.”

Immediately after the death of the youth in mysterious circumstances, the family had termed it a custodial killing, followed by widespread protests in the area forcing the authorities to order a probe into the death of the youth.

The order was issued by DC Baramulla on 17th September 2020, appointing the ADC Baramulla as the inquiry officer into the incident advising him to submit the report within a stipulated time of 20 days.

Worthwhile to mention is that more than a month has passed since the probe was ordered and more than ten days have passed from the deadline fixed for submission of the inquiry report, it is yet to be submitted.

When asked about the expected date for the probe to complete, the ADC Baramulla said that it may take further 10 to 15 days.

The only development that took place in between was that two police personnel were suspended who were escorting the youth when he, according to police claim, had allegedly fled and was later found dead in the Tujjar Sharief area. (KDC)