Srinagar: A court here rejected anticipatory bail plea by three persons including two counter intelligence policemen facing charges of misusing their official position to “extort money” from a person over “frivolous” allegations of militancy against him.
A per police report, on 10 December last year, police station Kothibagh received a complaint by one person forwarded by SSP CIK Srinagar for lodgment of FIR on the allegations that Selection Grade Constable Bashir Ahmad, presently working in CIK along with Head Constable Ajaz Ahmad, made a telephone call to him that there are adverse reports with CID CIK against him for providing logistic support and financial assistance to the banned militant organizations for which his presence is required.
The complainant stated that he took along one of his friends and met with one Shamim Ahmad of Pulwama, friend of cops, for the issue who asked them that he will resolve the matter as he knows the CIK officers. Then complainant went to Srinagar and met Bashir Ahmad and Aijaz Ahmad at Floriculture Park Residence road. Shamim Ahmad was also present at the location. In the meanwhile Aijaz Ahmad forcibly took away Rs. 14,000 from the pocket of the complainant and also they demanded Rs. 20 lakhs for the dismissal of allegations leveled against him, the police report says. The complainant insisted that he shall not pay such hefty amount and finally it was decided between them that Rs. 6.50 lakhs shall be paid by the complainant through installments. After three days, the complainant paid Rs. 1.36 lakhs as installment and made a phone call for knowing the present status of the case. However, the complainant stated they threatened him of dire consequences. Accordingly, the complainant appeared before SSP CIK were he came to know that the accused persons have manipulated false allegations against him besides he has been cheated by them, the police reported added. Subsequently an FIR (No. 97/2020) was registered in police station Kothibagh and investigation set into motion.
Special Public Prosecutor in his objections submitted that the accused are actively involved in the case (FIR No.97/2020) under section 420, 384, 386, 506 IPC r/w Section 7 of P. C Act as such they cannot claim bail as a matter of right.
Counsel for the accused argued that they are innocent and have been falsely implicated in the case.
“The allegations against the petitioners (cops and their friend) are incriminating and serious in nature and speaks about their criminal mind set and prima facie there are reasonable grounds that alleged accused have committed the offences as indicated in the FIR as such do not deserve any concession of bail in anticipation of their arrest,” said Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Kashmir, Srinagar R. N. Watal in an order.
(The petitioners being police officials and working with important wing of J&K Police i.e. counter intelligence to collect the information about activities of anti-national elements. ..instead of assembling the information about unscruplous anti-nationals elements appear to have misused the official position to mint money,” the court said, adding, “Any concession of bail in favour of petitioners and their conduit petitioner Shameem shall not be taken in good taste by the society at large and the faith that a common man has got in this prestigious institution shall get shattered.” (GNS)
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