Srinagar, July 15, KDC: A local court here in Srinagar has acquitted three accused in 2017 murder case while directing the Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) to initiate a departmental inquiry against the investigating officer for “zeroing the investigation without sufficient proof.”
The Court of Additional Sessions Judge Anjum Ara, while pronouncing the acquittal, as per Srinagar-based news gathering agency Kashmir Dot Com, extended the “benefit of doubt” to the accused—Shiraz Ahmad Ellahi, Ashiq Hussain Ganaie, and Mohammad Amin Zargar—in FIR No. 01/2017 under Sections 302 (murder), 380 (theft), 454 (housebreaking), 201 (destruction of evidence), and 411 (receiving stolen property) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
The accused were represented by Advocate Mohammad Abdullah Pandit, Yawar Khan.
The court noted that the prosecution failed to prove the case “beyond reasonable doubt,” citing “discrepancies” and insufficient evidence.
“The prosecution evidence is full of reasonable doubts… the accused are entitled to the benefit of doubt,” the judgment stated.
The judge pulled up the police for “zeroing in on the accused without complete evidence” and ignoring other potential suspects. The court emphasized that the “investigation was not conducted in a proper and professional manner.”
The court directed the Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) to initiate a departmental probe against the investigating officer for “not investigating the role of other suspects” and conducting an “unprofessional” probe.
One of the accused, Shiraz Ahmad Ellahi, lodged in Bhaderwah Jail, was ordered to be released immediately if not wanted in other cases. The other two accused were discharged from bail bonds.
The case dates back to 2017, when a woman was allegedly murdered within Lal Bazar police jurisdiction. The chargesheet accused Shiraz Ahmad Ellahi of the murder, while the other two were charged under Section 411 RPC for allegedly handling stolen property.
After initial proceedings before the 3rd Additional Munsiff JMIC Srinagar, the case was transferred to the Principal Sessions Judge and later assigned to Judge Anjum Ara in February 2018.. (KDC)
