7 Years On, No FIR Filed Against Soura Boys Death

Srinagar—Even after the expiry of seven long years, police have not filed an FIR with regard to the custodial killing of 17-year old Umar Qayoom of Soura, who according to family, died in police custody on 25 August 2010 during the summer unrest.

“We are going to observe Umar Qayoom’s 7th Death anniversary on Aug 25, but till date no FIR has been lodged to probe the incident let alone the question of bringing culprits to justice,” Abdul Qayoom, the father of the deceased youth told news agency CNS.

“We approached State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) which seems to be a ‘paper tiger’ and whose recommendations are rarely implemented” he said.

Abdul Qayoom said they have been repeatedly approaching the police for registering FIR in the case, “but to no avail.”

“A top police official approached us several times asking me to withdraw the case in lieu of monetary benefits and job, but I bluntly refused to do so,” he said adding that the culprits allegedly involved in the killing of his son should be booked without any delay.

“We want justice. We want the policemen who tortured Umar to death to be brought to justice,” he said.

Umar breathed his last at SKIMS on August 25, 2010. A class 11th student, Umar, according to family was picked up by police on August 20 alongwith two other youth- Amir Bashir Sheikh son of Bashir Ahmad of Umarheir, Buchpora, and Irshad Ahmad Bhat son of Ghulam Qadir of Dar Mohalla, Soura, during protests in Malik Sahab locality.

However, the trio was granted bail a few days later by a court and they were accordingly released.

Qayoom said police brutally tortured his son in custody and didn’t allow him to be taken to hospital. “At the time of his arrest my son was thrashed against an iron shutter of a shop and an electric pole,” he said and added; “We don’t want any other family to suffer like this. The killers must be punished so that it acts as a deterrent in future,” he asserted.

He said that the then Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah had asked victims to approach him for justice. “When my daughter visited Omar Abdullah’s Gupkar residence, the security men on his directions dragged her out from the house. How can you expect justice when people at the helm of affairs are so callous toward your hardships,” he questioned.

Pertinently, SHRC had recommended the grant of ex-gratia relief for the victim’s family, however the Empowered Committee constituted by the State Government has noted that case of Umar Qayoom was earlier examined by a Committee formulated vide Government Order number: 1233-Home of 2010 dated 1/10/2010. The Committee has noted: “The final investigation report furnished by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar reveals that no torture has taken place in police custody. The post-mortem of his (Umar Qayoom) dead body has also not been conducted as the Next of Kins of the deceased didn’t allow exhumation of the body (on emotional grounds). Since, the death is not attributed to law and order problem, the case is not covered for grant of special ex-gratia relief.” (CNS)

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