SC puts on hold contempt proceedings against Kashmir IGP, SSP

The Supreme Court on Tuesday put on hold contempt proceedings against two senior Jammu and Kashmir Police officials for not registering an FIR against a Deputy Superintendent of Police for allegedly killing a young man during the ongoing protests in the state.

Seeking a report on the investigation into the incident, including the complaint against the Deputy Superintendent of Police, the bench of Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Justice Amitava Roy said that the state Inspector General of Police and Senior Superintendent of Police would neither be arrested nor placed under suspension.

The Srinagar Judicial Magistrate had on July 18 ordered registration of fresh FIR against the Deputy Superintendent of Police over the killing of 26-year-old Shabir Ahmed Shah. The state high court, while rejecting the state government's plea against the Judicial Magistrate's order, initiated contempt proceedings asking both the IGP and SSP to be present before it.

Appearing for the J&K government, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the court that the matter, including the complaint involving the killing of Shabir Ahmed, would be investigated.

The Attorney General said that registration of fresh FIR against the DSP as ordered by the Srinagar Judicial Magistrate would have a demoralizing effect on the police force and their operations to control violent and unruly demonstrations.

The father of Shabir Ahmed had filed complaint that his son was killed by the DSP as he tried to intervene during the questioning of his mother by the police.

--IANS

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