JK cop involved in killing teen, says report

A magisterial probe ordered into the killing of a 13-year-old boy in the city that triggered protests earlier this year has found prima facie involvement of a Jammu and Kashmir police official in the incident.

Judicial Magistrate Massarat Shaheen in the report submitted to Srinagar Chief Judicial Magistrate has maintained that prima facie the accused Abdul Khaliq (assistant sub-inspector of police) has committed the offence which is punishable under the Ranbir Penal Code.

13-year-old Wamiq Farooq was killed when police fired tear smoke shells on January 31 this year at Gani memorial stadium in Gojwar area of the city.The report, submitted to CJM last week and based on statements of three witnesses, said, "As per the statements of the witnesses, it has been observed that the situation in the area on the day of incident was normal and everybody was involved in daily activities as the shop near the place of occurrence was also open.

"One of the police personnel, without any provocation, has fired a tear smoke shell at the range of 30 feet on Wamiq Farooq, who was walking on the link road after playing carom with other boys, the enquiry magistrate said.

Initially, the ASI was suspended by the state government and an inquiry ordered into the incident. However, the government took a U-turn when CJM Srinagar sought a report from police about the incident after the boy's father filed an application seeking registration of murder case against the official.

The police in its report claimed that Wamiq Farooq was part of a mob which made attempt on the lives of the police personnel on the day of the incident. As there was a public outcry over the police report, Law Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar said the attempt to murder charge filed against Wamiq was an error and will be withdrawn.