J&K cops get relief from apex court

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed contempt proceedings against top Kashmir police officers for failing to obey a court’s order to proceed against a

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed contempt proceedings against top Kashmir police officers for failing to obey a court’s order to proceed against a DSP for allegedly gunning down a protester. A bench headed by PC Ghose, however, asked the state to complete the investigation with regard to the complaint filed by Shabbir Ahmad Mir’s father, accusing DSP Yasir Qadri of killing his son in their home in Tengpora area of Srinagar. The probe can be carried out in the case registered after a police party was attacked on July 10. A sealed cover report will have to be submitted before the bench on or before August 12. “Criminal case can’t be lodged against police officers for death in police firing as it is done to control violent and unruly crowd,” attorney general Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for J&K government, told the court. Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for police officers, said violent incidents including stone pelting were not in national interest. He claimed the separatists were openly asking “people to file cases against police officials and if proceedings are initiated against them so that they get demoralised.”

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