Kathua: Police may challenge order against SIT

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 23

The J&K Police are likely to challenge a Jammu court order to register an FIR against the six-member SIT, which was probing the Kathua rape-murder case. 

However, the SIT members maintained a ‘guarded silence’ over the court order. “I will not comment on the court order,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Shetmbari Sharma, who was also part of the team. “I have not yet received a copy of the order. I will take further action only after going through the order,” said RK Jalla, former SSP (since retired).

On Tuesday, the Jammu court directed the SSP Jammu to register FIR against SIT members for allegedly torturing and coercing three witnesses to give false statements against one of the main accused Vishal Jangotra, who was acquitted by a special court in Pathankot. Though the Pathankot court on June 10, 2019, had convicted six of the seven accused, three witnesses —- Sachin Sharma, Neeraj Sharma and Sahil Sharma—- had sought an FIR against the SIT members for allegedly committing atrocities on them for giving false statements against Vishal Jangotra.

On the trio’s application, the court yesterday directed the registration of an FIR against former SSP RK Jalla (since retired), Additional Superintendent of Police Peerzada Naveed, Deputy Superintendents of Police Shetmbari Sharma, Nassir Hussain, sub-inspector Urfan Wani and Kewal Kishore (crime branch). It asked the SSP (Jammu) to report compliance by the next date of hearing on November 11.