Two Army Majors and seven jawans have been booked for attempting to murder a police officer who was investigating the recovery of fake currency from Territorial Army jawans in Poonch district, the police said on Tuesday. However, the duo could not be arrested as they are absconding.
"Two Majors and seven jawans were booked for attempting to murder the Station House Officer (SHO) of Poonch police station on Monday during the investigation of a fake currency case," they said.
Cases have been registered against them on charges of attempt to murder, preventing investigation and forcible captivity, they added. Deputy Inspector General of Rajouri-Poonch range S D S Jamwal confirmed the booking of the two senior Army officials and said that the investigations have begun.
Fake currency worth nearly Rs 1.70 lakh was recovered from two TA jawans -- Sepoy Mohmmad Aslam and Sepoy Mohmmad Anayat Hussain -- who were arrested on Sunday.
When the SHO, Inspector Kuldeep Khajuria, went to arrest the main accused Nizamuddin, he was forcibly taken into captivity by Major Sudhir, Major Navi and some jawans of 17 Rajput Rifles. Khajuria was also beaten up by them, said S Bhat, additional superintendent of police of Poonch.
"The army people assaulted the police party. I found the SHO injured. I immediately shifted him to the district hospital," said senior superintendent of police Basant Rath.
Taking advantage of the situation, Nizamuddin, who smuggles fake currency from Pakistan occupied Kashmir, escaped, Bhat said.
When contacted, Army Public Relations Officer Lieutenant Colonel Biplab Nath said, "We are looking into the matter".