POONCH: Even as Jammu Kashmir Police have efficiently manage law and order in militancy infested Union Territory of J&K, the recent judgement of Court against couple of police officers of sub division Surankote has exposed the rot prevailing inside some police stations in handling investigation of cases.
The Sub Judge Surankote while observing serious breach of fairness in investigation of FIR No 62/2019 (PS Surankote) has ordered SSP Crime Branch, Jammu for registration of case against the then SDPO Surankote, DySP Khaliq Hussain (PID No 956182) and the then SHO Police Station Surankote, Inspector Tilak Raj (No 046045 EXJ) for circumventing due process of criminal investigation by misusing official position to protect offenders from legal consequences.
Directing the SSP (CBJ) to register FIR against both the police officers under IPC section 201, 166, 167, 217,218,465,468 and 471 for forgery and disobeying the law with an intention to cause injury to the complainant by intentionally corroborating fabricated evidences, the Judge further ordered that the DIG Crime Branch Jammu will monitored the investigation into both FIRs and directed the SSP, CBJ to submit the investigation into the FIR No 62/2019 of Police Station Surankote within 2 months.
“Perusal of record reveals that investigation of case was entrusted to Inspector Tilak Raj by SDPO vide order dated 24-10-2020 but Tilak Raj assumed charge as SHO Surankote on 30-01-2021, meaning thereby that investigation of the above FIR was assigned to Inspector (SHO) 3 months before his joining as SHO Surankote. As per statement before the Court, Tilak Raj was relieved from Surankot on 12-05-2021 and the instant final report was laid before the court on 13-07-2021” reads the court order. Taking into consideration the material facts available, the instant final report seems to be a forged document, the judge said.
In the instant case, on the basis of written complaint from Rani Bi, the PS Surankote in FIR No 62/2019 on 13.4.2019 registered case u/s 451, 147/382/504/506/201 IPC against five accused namely Sajad Ahmed, Nazir Hussain, Arshad Iqbal, Israr Ul Haq and Abdul Rashid all resident of Mahrote, Surankote. The investigation of the case was carried by Sub Inspector Maqbool Hussain who after legal course has finalized it vide Challan No 21/2020 dated 18-03-2020 which was subsequently approved by the SHO for presentation before court.
Due to pandemic, this challan fails to reach the court for judicial determination. In the meantime, the then SDPO Surankote, DySP Khaliq Hussain vide ordered No 223335/2020/DySP/Rdr dated 24-10-2020 on his own ordered re-investigation pertaining to FIR No 62/2019 through Inspector Tilak Raj which closed the case as ‘not admitted’ and subsequently presented the final report before Court. This closure report was contented as botched by the complainant in the court stating that how come SHO Tilak Raj start investigation 3 months prior to assuming charge of SHO Surankote on 30th Jan, 2021.
“Perusal of CD also reflects that SHOP/S Surankote vide order No 1338/56 1-PSS dated 28-12-2020 submitted the status report in case FIR No 62/2019 before the Hon’ble High Court through AAG. In that report, the SHO has fairly admitted that after finalizing all legal formalities the investigation of the case has ended into a challan (No 21/2020 dated 18-3-2020) which is pending for presentation in the court of law due to pandemic. What necessitated the SDPO to conduct the investigation himself and then pass an order for further investigation and change IO when the earlier IO has prepared the challan? Record of the file suggests there was no direction either from the court or from any superior officer for re-investigation. It’s apparent from record that SDPO Surankote has disobeyed set procedure established by law with clear motive to save the accused offenders, the judge further observed.
JK Global View Point: Observation of Judge about misdemeanors of two police officers holding responsible posts in Surankote police sub division is a food for thought for Special Task Force constituted by LG Manoj Sinha to pave exit of employees with doubtful integrity from services. Several police officers from SSP, SP, DSP etc are cooling their heels in jails is an indicator of harsh reality that a corrupt employee especially in police uniform is a monster who can spoil anybody life for personal pecuniary gains. Despite tale of odds, the law abiding citizens considered Institution of Police as Rakshak and if there are some Bakshak stoops to erode its credibility, the Home Department must furnish list of such shameless creatures in police department to Special Task Force headed by Special DGP CID which has initiated process of Shudhikaran of state administration.