In a significant development, the father of the Major-rank army officer named in the case involving the deaths of three men in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian, has approached the Supreme Court. His petition, challenging the police case, said it violated the officer's fundamental rights. He also appealed that the Centre be asked to protect the rights of soldiers working in Jammu and Kashmir.
The controversial police case -- which has now turned a political drama- had named the officer and his unit. They were accused of opening fire on a group of protesters, in which three men had died. The army said the soldiers were vastly outnumbered by the stone-throwing mob, and opened fire only after the crowd disregarded repeated warnings.
The petition said the police cannot file cases against army officers in Jammu and Kashmir, since AFSPA (the Armed Forces' Special Powers Act) is operating in the state. The law gives special powers to the army in insurgency-hit areas.
"My son was doing his duty to protect the soldiers who were being stoned and about to be lynched... He carried out the orders of his superiors," the petition read.
The officer's father, who is also serving in the army, said he was compelled to move the Supreme Court directly because of the "extremely hostile situation in Jammu and Kashmir". This, his petition said, became evident in the "manner of lodging the FIR" and the way it was projected by the state's political and administration heads. It appealed that the investigation be carried out in another state with independent and unbiased authorities.
The police case was filed as the shooting on the protesters triggered uproar in the state and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said it would be taken to its logical conclusion. (KNB)