NIA Court acquits Dy Suptt Jail, others

Special Judge NIA Jammu Sandeep Gandotra acquitted Sohail Ahmed Bhat, son of Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, resident of village Dogripora, Awantipora, Pulwama and Daulat Ali Mughal, son of Syed Rehman Mughal, resident of Kupwara are acquitted of the charges leveled against them under Sections 13, 18, 39 UA (P) Act; accused Mohd Ishaq Palla, son of Ghulam Rasool, resident of Aloora, Shopian is acquitted of the charges leveled against him under Sections 13, 18, 18-B, 20 & 38 UA (P) Act; and accused Deputy Jail Superintendent, Feroz Ahmed Lone, son of Abdul Gaffar Lone, resident of Phakerpora, Charar-i-Sharief, Badgam is acquitted of offences under Sections 18 & 39 UA (P) Act.

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While acquitting accused from the charges, Court observed that in view of the detailed discussion made herein above, the uncorroborated, contradictory & infirm statements made by the witnesses and IOs, relied upon by the prosecution, have failed to inspire confidence in the mind of this court to convict the accused persons. The prosecution has, therefore, not been able to prove by cogent and reliable evidence the charges which have been made against the accused persons.

While acquitting the accused persons, Special Judge NIA Sandeep Gandotra observed that before parting it needs to be reiterated with a heavy heart that from the statements of PW-II, PW-III, PW-IV, PW-XV and PW-XXV it is clear that there was no discipline and control over the inmates in Central Jail Srinagar on the date of occurrence i.e. October 25, 2017. It has also come on record in their statements that all the inmates used to meet other inmates and visitors at their own will. PW-IV Manzoor Ahmed Dar has stated that the inmates used to do whatever they wished & the officers knew these facts but the officers were helpless and they could not to anything. Even the Superintendent of jail PW-XXV has admitted this fact. This is a very sad reflection on the working of officers and officials of Central Jail Srinagar for which accountability needs to be fixed and it shall be ensured that such a situation does not arise in future.