Srinagar: Two days after army said that it has completed Summary of Evidence against two of its men involved in Shopian fake encounter, the special investigation team (SIT) of police on Saturday filed charge sheet against three persons including an army captain who were involved in the case.
The 300-page charge-sheet was presented before the court of Principal and Sessions Judge Shopian on Saturday against the three people involved in the case, including a senior army officer, news agency KNO quoted Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Wajahat Hussain as saying. Hussain, who is heading the special probe team, identified the trio as Captain Bupinder of army’s 62 RR, Tabish Ahmad, a resident of Shopian and Bilal Ahmad, a resident of Pulwama.
The police charge-sheet against the accused comes two days after the army said that the Summary of Evidence against two of its men involved in the encounter has been completed and a possible court martial could take place after completion of formalities.
General Officer in Command of XV Corps Lt Gen B S Raju said on Thursday the Summary of Evidence has been completed but refused to give away any details of the outcome.
“Yes, the Summary of Evidence has been completed and the army will take the next course of action as per the law,” Lt Raju had said here.
The army had ordered a Court of Inquiry earlier this year after reports appeared on social media that three youths have been killed by soldiers in a fake encounter and passed off as militants.
The Court of Inquiry, which completed its probe earlier in September, had found “prima facie” evidence that troops had “exceeded” powers under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) during the July 18 encounter in which three men were killed. Following this, the army had initiated disciplinary proceedings.
Officials in know of the development said the two army personnel may face court martial proceedings for violating the powers vested under the AFSPA, 1990 and not following the Do’s and Don’ts of Chief of Army Staff as approved by the Supreme Court.
The officials said the accused personnel may face serious charges under the law.
They also said the role of the three civilians as well as the person who had allegedly led the army to the youths in Amshipura in Shopian needs to be thoroughly examined by the police.
The three civilians killed in Amshipura were Imtiyaz Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammed Ibrar, hailing from Rajouri district. Their identities were subsequently confirmed through a DNA test. The bodies were handed over to their families in Baramulla in October.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had visited the families of the three Rajouri youths and expressed condolences. He had also assured the families that the UT government will extend full support to them and ensure that justice is done in the case.
He had also conveyed the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the government stands with the aggrieved families, and they will be taken care of with all support from the government. (With PTI inputs)
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