Srinagar: The Supreme Court (SC) has without any “known reasons” deferred the October 3 hearing of the case of Manzoor Ahmed Dar of Rawalpora Srinagar who was taken away by army in 2002 and since then there are no whereabouts of him.
The case was supposed to be heard in the SC on Oct 3. With few days to go, the family of Dar was today informed that the case has been deferred to November 18.
“I had booked the tickets and was ready to go to Sc to seek justice. I have been informed through my advocate that the case has been deferred,” said Bilkees daughter of Dar.
She said they (SC) wants to eliminate the case, but vowed she would continue to fight till justice is not done with her.
History of the case: The case had come up in the SC after the J&K High Court had asked Union Defence and Home ministry to respond to an application moved by the family of Manzoor Ahmed Dar seeking their array in as party to the case.
Dar was killed by army in 2002 after he was abducted from his residence at Rawalpora, said his family members.
A bench had earlier asked the Defence secretary and Home to file objection to the application within two weeks.
Dar's family has sought two union ministries as party respondents to know the status of the case with regard to grant the sanction for prosecution of the accused Brigadier Kishore Malhotra, who was then a Major in Army.
A special investigation team has closed the probe of the case by concluding that the victim could have died in custody of army 35 RR led by Major Malhotra after he was abducted from his residence in January 2002.
In this way the investigation agency has established charges of abduction/ murder and destruction of evidence under the relevant sections of RPC against the accused. Also the probe agency has already informed the High court that it has submitted to the competent authority a communication seeking approval of sanction for prosecution of accused brigadier
However, the court has not been informed about it so far. The court asked the respondents to produce the latest status report progress of the case on next date of hearing. Later, the accused moved to SC by filing a special leave petition against his arrest ordered by the J&K High Court. (PTK)