Srinagar, Sept 7, KDC: A court in Jammu has directed registration of an FIR against Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Jasrotia, who was serving as SDPO City South Jammu at the time, over allegations of assault and misconduct involving JKAS officer Azhar Khan during election related duties in November last year.
City Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class Jammu Ghulam Murtaza also directed SSP Jammu to take appropriate action against the then In Charge of Police Station Gandhi Nagar for failing to register an FIR on the allegations in accordance with law.
The directions were passed on September 5 on an application filed by Khan, presently posted as Block Development Officer, Nagrota, seeking registration of a case against Jasrotia and the police personnel accompanying him over an incident dated November 10, 2025.
Khan had approached the court after alleging that despite disclosing cognizable offences, his complaint did not result in registration of an FIR by Police Station Gandhi Nagar. He invoked Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking directions for registration of the case.
The complaint alleged that Khan was assaulted, restrained and subjected to misconduct by police personnel, including the then SDPO City South and his personal security officers, while he was performing election related duties.
During consideration of the application, the court examined material collected during a preliminary inquiry, including statements of independent witnesses and CCTV footage of the incident. The court found the material sufficient to warrant investigation into the allegations and directed registration of an FIR in accordance with law.
The court also took note of the failure of the Gandhi Nagar police station to register the FIR despite the allegations being brought before it and directed the SSP Jammu to take appropriate action against the officer responsible.
Importantly, the court directed that the investigation be conducted fairly and impartially by a police officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and having no connection with the incident.
The court’s directions came while exercising jurisdiction under the provisions governing registration of information relating to cognizable offences. It also considered the statutory framework under the BNSS concerning preliminary inquiry and the Supreme Court’s legal principles on registration of FIRs where a cognizable offence is disclosed.
The case stems from the November 10, 2025 incident involving Khan, who was then performing election related duties. The allegations against the police personnel are yet to be investigated through the FIR and the court’s order does not amount to a finding of guilt against any accused.
The application was accordingly disposed of with directions to ensure registration of the case, appropriate action against the concerned police station officer and an independent investigation. (KDC)
