HC directs DGP for transfer of investigation to Crime Branch

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 24: High Court has directed the Director General of Police to transfer the investigation into death of a woman at her in-laws house under mysterious circumstances to Crime Branch for time-bound completion of probe. The direction was passed in a petition filed by Mohd Bashir, father of deceased Tazeema Akhter, who died in the house of her in-laws on the intervening night of April 22/23, 2012 due to burn injuries. According to the petitioner, her daughter was murdered by her father-in-law and other family members, who were present in the house on fateful day. The husband of the deceased was out of country. Advocate M R Qureshi appearing for the petitioner submitted that on April 22, 2012 certain facts about the unwanted behaviour of father-in-law of the deceased were brought before some members of Panchayat and on April 23, 2012 a regular Panchayat was to be convened in which the deceased was called to make a statement. However, before the deceased Tazeema Akhter could make a statement against her in-laws the latter hatched a conspiracy of eliminating her, the counsel for the petitioner said, adding “police is not investigating the matter fairly as the SHO Police Station Mendhar is hand-in-glove with the accused. The petitioner has already moved an application before the IGP, who after enquiring into the matter has recommended the transfer of case to Crime Branch Jammu”. After hearing Advocate M R Qureshi for the petitioner whereas Advocate B R Chandan for the State, Justice Virender Singh said, “keeping in view the circumstances of the present case and the fact that IGP has already recommended the transfer of investigation of the present case vide communication dated September 14, 2012, the petition stands disposed of with the direction to Director General of Police to transfer the investigation of the case to Crime Branch without any delay preferably within one weeks only from the date copy of the order is conveyed to him”. The High Court also directed the Government Advocate to convey the order to the concerned without any delay and Crime Branch Jammu shall make sincere endeavour to conclude the investigation within shortest possible period.