Alleged custodial killing of Sopore youth: Family demands inquiry report be made public

Srinagar: The family of the Sopore youth who was allegedly killed in police custody in September last year has demanded that the inquiry report of the case which has been submitted to government must be made public even as they have shown complete faith into the inquiry.

“We came to know that the inquiry officer has submitted the report that must be made public,” the brother of slain youth, Javid Akbar, told KDC.

He said that his brother “was innocent and killed in a cold-blooded murder by the Police”.

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 Over-Ground Worker and had escaped while being taken for recovery of arms.

“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,” police had said.

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

Deputy Commissioner Baramulla on September 17, 2020, appointed ADC Baramulla as the inquiry officer into the incident, advising him to submit the report within a stipulated time of 20 days into the circumstances of the death of Irfan Ahmad Dar.

Meanwhile enquiry officer ADC Baramulla, Mohammad Ahsan, told KDC that he had submitted the report to the government a few days ago but refused to share further details. (KDC)