Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Shopian case: J&K cops move sessions court for bail

Last updated on: July 25, 2009 22:55 IST

Two police officers, accused of destruction of evidence and dereliction of duty in the Shopian rape and murder case, on Saturday moved their bail application before the sessions court in the southern Kashmiri town, following Friday's apex court order in the matter.

While disposing of the special leave petition filed by former district police chief of Shopian Javed Iqbal Mattoo, deputy superintendent of police Rohit Baskotra, the apex court had observed that 'the petitioners would be at liberty to move the bail application before the sessions court in Shopian'.

The apex court had also set aside the earlier state high court order, directing that any bail application moved by the accused officers before any court, should be referred to the division bench of the high court.

While admitting the bail application, the sessions court directed the special investigation team, which is investigating the rape and murder of Asiya Jan, 17, and her sister-in-law Neelofar Jan, 22, to present the case file on Monday.

The two officers were presented before the chief judicial magistrate in Srinagar for the extension of their judicial remand today. The CJM extended their judicial remand till July 29.

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar