The process for magisterial inquiry into the death of a detainee from Sopore town in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district has begun, a senior Police officer said Thursday.
The move to start a magisterial probe into the death of Irfan Ahmad Dar son of Muhammad Akbar Dar of Sidiq Colony, Sopore was prompted after his family alleged that he was killed in Police custody.
“I have told the Superintendent of Police Sopore to write to the district magistrate (Baramulla) to initiate a magisterial inquiry. The order may have been released,” Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said during a news conference here Thursday.
Dar was found dead near a stone quarry at Tujjar-Sharief of Sopore on September 16, Police said.
It said the youth was an over ground worker of militants and was apprehended while two Chinese hand grenades were recovered from his possession on September 15.
It said a case under FIR No 257/2020 U/S 18 ULA (P) Act, 7/27 A Act was registered in Police Station Sopore and investigation was started in this regard.
Police claimed that Dar had escaped from Police when they had taken him, on his disclosure, to Chairdaji area of Tujjar Shareef for more recovery.
A separate case under FIR No 71/2020 U/S 224 IPC was registered in Police Station Bomai, Police statement said adding, further investigation was underway.
Kumar said Dar was not carrying any weapon.
“He didn’t fire, so Policemen also didn’t open fire at the time of escape,” he said. “I believe Dar suffered a fall and was hurt. Possibly he may have died due to cardiac arrest. Whether he had any pre-medical condition is for the inquiry and doctors to say,” he said.
However, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said the action would take place based on the outcome of the magisterial inquiry.
About not handing over Dar’s body to his family, the IGP said this was done keeping in view the Covid-19 and he was buried at Sonmarg area of Ganderbal.
“Earlier, when a militant was killed in Sopore, people gave in writing that only 50 to 60 men would attend the funeral but more than 2000 turned up. For the larger good of the public, the handing over of the body was not feasible,” Kumar said.