Court seeks report over Kathua youth’s death due to alleged police torture

Srinagar, March 1: The Sub Judge/Special Mobile Magistrate, Kathua, has sought an Action Taken report (ATR) from Billawar Police over the death of Gujjar youth from Billawar due to suicide following alleged custodial torture.

The report has been sought in the complaint filed by the father and wife of deceased Makhan Din and advocates Mohammad Anwar Chowdhary and Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed.

The petitioners said that they were forced to move the court as no FIR was registered in the case.

Earlier the Civil society members in Jammu criticised the administration for its inaction and rued that “ despite widespread outrage, neither a judicial inquiry has been ordered nor any compensation provided to the bereaved family, raising serious concerns about justice and accountability.”

A candlelight protest and dharna were organised at Mecca Dharna, Bathindi, calling for a CBI probe into Makhan Din’s case.

In a statement, a police spokesperson earlier said that “Makhandin was the nephew of Pak Exfiltrated Terrorist Swar Din @ Swaru Gujjar, he is helping in the same group that conducted the Badnotta Army Convoy attack in July 2024 in which 4 Army Jawans were Martyred. It is the same group which led to the killing & Martyrdom of HC Bashir in Kohag Operation. Makhan had a number of suspicious contacts in Pak and other foreign countries. There was no custodial torture or injury. He was questioned and then got exposed, went home and committed suicide.”

Police said that authorities have taken cognisance of the case and a magisterial enquiry has also been ordered.