MEHBOOBA ALLEGES BID TO ‘LET OFF’ TERROR ACCUSED

SRINAGAR: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti asked why the Jammu and Kashmir administration had decided not to hold an enquiry in the case of former police officer Davinder Singh, who was arrested in January last year for involvement in terror activities and espionage before his dismissal in May this year. She alleged the decision betrayed the administration’s double standards. However, a Bharatiya Janata party leader and a J&K government official said her concerns were misplaced.

Mufti was referring to a May 20 order by J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha dismissing suspended police officer Davinder Singh which also said there was no need to hold an inquiry in his case before the dismissal as it was not “expedient” in the interest of national security. The order cited clause 2, Article 311 of the Constitution, which allows the government to withdraw presidential pleasure without holding an inquiry and is contestable only in a high court.

Mufti questioned the decision and accused the government of dealing with Kashmiri youths differently. “Innocent Kashmiris arrested under anti terror laws rot in jails for years. For them the trial becomes the punishment. But GOI doesn’t want an enquiry against a cop caught red handed with militants. Is it because he colluded with the system to orchestrate certain dodgy incidents?,” she asked in a tweet.

In another tweet, she said, “Kashmiris are considered guilty until proven innocent.”