STRUCTURES OF VIOLENCE
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448 | Structures of Violence<br />
and Mohammad Saleem. These witnesses<br />
categorically stated before the enquiry ofcer as to<br />
how Showkat Ali Mughal was arrested by the police<br />
and how they approached them for his release and in<br />
what manner they were avoided till they learnt about<br />
his death in custody. Further, that they made an effort<br />
to take him to hospital where he was declared dead.<br />
The medical report also suggested death by heart<br />
attack by fear/fright or sudden exposure to severe<br />
cold.<br />
The SHRC concluded that the statement of witnesses<br />
before the enquiry ofcer constituted credible<br />
evidence and the medical report also suggested that<br />
Showkat Ali Mughal had died in the police custody.<br />
Emphasis was placed on the fact that the death had<br />
taken place in custody.<br />
The report of the Additional District Magistrate, Rajouri<br />
was strongly criticized. Further, the SHRC stated that<br />
Showkat Ali Mughal was a “hale and hearty person”.<br />
The alleged perpetrators were found liable for the<br />
death of Showkat Ali Mughal.<br />
It is noteworthy that despite the passage of ve years,<br />
and the SHRC order, no investigations or prosecutions<br />
appear to have conducted or concluded by the Jammu<br />
and Kashmir Police. This has effectively helped the<br />
perpetrators of the crime evade justice.<br />
Case No. 172<br />
Victim Details<br />
1. Reyaz Ahmad Bhat [Abduction and Extra-<br />
Judicial Killing]<br />
Son of: Mohammad Ismail Bhat, Saleema<br />
Resident of: Shamishwari, Kalashpora,<br />
Srinagar<br />
2. M a n z o o r A h m a d S h e r g o j r i [ Wa g a y ]<br />
[Abduction and Extra-Judicial Killing]<br />
Age: 15/16<br />
Son of: Ghulam Qadir<br />
Spouse: Mugli<br />
Resident of: Naina Batpora, Pulwama district<br />
3. Sartaj Ahmad Ganai [Abduction and Extra-<br />
Judicial Killing]<br />
Son of: Ghulam Qadir<br />
Resident of: Tikipora, Shopian district<br />
4. Identity not ascertained [Abduction and Extra-<br />
Judicial Killing]<br />
Alleged Perpetrators<br />
1. Hilal Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Madina<br />
Colony, Bemina, Civilian<br />
2. Ajaz Ahmad, brother of Hilal Ahmad Sheikh,<br />
Civilian<br />
3. Showkat Ahmad Mir, brother in law of Hilal<br />
Ahmad Sheikh, Inspector in the Vigilance<br />
Department<br />
4. Assistant Sub-Inspector [ASI] Tariq, Duty<br />
Ofcer, S.R.Gunj Police Station, Jammu and<br />
Kashmir Police<br />
5. Ghulam Rasool, Station House Ofcer [SHO],<br />
S. R. Gunj Police Station, Jammu and<br />
Kashmir Police<br />
6. Commandant, 47 Rashtriya Ries [RR], Army<br />
[as of April 2007]<br />
7. Mohammad Younis, Special Operations<br />
Group [SOG], Jammu and Kashmir Police,<br />
Gungbugh<br />
8. Mohammad Sha, Special Operations Group<br />
[SOG], Jammu and Kashmir Police,<br />
Gungbugh<br />
9. Qamar-ud-Din, Station House Ofcer [SHO],<br />
Kupwara Police Station, Special Operations<br />
Group [SOG], Jammu and Kashmir Police,<br />
Gungbugh<br />
Case Information<br />
The four victims were killed. Armed forces claimed to<br />
have killed four militants on 29 April 2007.<br />
The family of Reyaz Ahmad Bhat state that he went<br />
missing on 25 April 2007. His sister, Sabia, was<br />
married to Hilal Ahmad Sheikh. Sabia was at her<br />
parent's residence on that day. Hilal Ahmad Sheikh<br />
came to the house along with his brother Ajaz Ahmad.<br />
There was a ght in which Reyaz Ahmad Bhat<br />
intervened. Reyaz Ahmad Bhat left the house along<br />
with Hilal Ahmad Sheikh and Ajaz Ahmad and has<br />
disappeared since. A few minutes later, the police<br />
arrived and the brother of Reyaz Ahmad Bhat, Javed<br />
Ahmad Bhat was taken to the S.R.Gunj Police Station.<br />
Subsequently, the father of the victim and two others<br />
were also arrested and brought to the police station. All<br />
of them were beaten at the police station. At this point,<br />
Showkat Ahmad Mir, an Inspector in the Vigilance<br />
Department and brother in law of Hilal Ahmad Sheikh<br />
was present in the police station. Tariq, the Duty<br />
Ofcer at the police station was the person<br />
administering the beatings. On the fth day of the<br />
arrest, Javed Ahmad Bhat heard Ghulam Rasool,<br />
SHO, S.R.Gunj Police Station, tell someone on the<br />
phone that “Reyaz” had been “hit” in Nowgam. Javed<br />
Ahmad Bhat was nally released on 1 May 2007. By<br />
this time, the others had been released as well.<br />
On 2 May 2007, Javed Ahmad Bhat received an<br />
anonymous phone call informing him that his brother<br />
had been killed at Kandi, Kupwara. A similar phone call<br />
was received on the following day as well. Javed<br />
Ahmad Bhat went to the SHO, S.R.Gunj Police Station<br />
to le an FIR but the SHO, Ghulam Rasool, refused to<br />
do so.<br />
On 9 November 2007, Javed Ahmad Bhat visited the<br />
Kupwara Police Station where he was shown<br />
photographs of the 29 April 2007 encounter. While he<br />
was not certain, he seemed to recognize the picture of<br />
his brother. The body of Reyaz Ahmad Bhat was not<br />
exhumed as much time had already passed.