Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 1: In the much hyped human shield case of Budgam, the Empowered Committee has rejected the recommendations of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) regarding payment of Rs 10 lakh compensation.
This information was given by the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in a written reply to the question of National Conference MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar in the Legislative Assembly today.
It is pertinent to mention here that on April 9, 2017 when polling to Lok Sabha seat was going on in Budgam district, one Farooq Ahmad Dar of Khansahib was tied with the ropes on the bonnet of an Army vehicle to prevent people from pelting stones on the Army personnel.
This case of human shield was blown out of proportion by several political parties and accordingly a FIR No.38/2017 under Sections 342, 367 and 506 RPC was registered in Police Station Beerwah and investigation is still going on.
“SHRC had recommended an amount of Rs 10 lakh as compensation in favour of Farooq Ahmad Dar and the recommendations were considered by the Empowered Committee in its 28th meeting held on October 6, 2017”, the Chief Minister said, adding “the Empowered Committee observed that the grounds on which compensation has been recommended by the SHRC cannot be accepted”.
The Empowered Committee has observed that no allegation vis-à-vis violation of human rights of the applicant has been leveled against the State Government or any of its functionary, the Chief Minister said, adding “the State Government has discharged its obligation by registering an FIR”.
“Pending completion of the investigation in the matter the recommendation with regard to payment of compensation to the complainant shall tantamount to establish the guilt of the accused without affording him an opportunity of being heard”, she said while quoting the observations of Empowered Committee.
She informed the House that as on date there is no scheme or policy which could cover the payment of compensation in the matters like present case. “SHRC in its recommendations has inter-alia observed that the Commission is handicapped to go into the conduct of the Army personnel, who are allegedly responsible for the incident”, the Chief Minister said, adding “having so observed the SHRC lacks jurisdiction to entertain and adjudicate upon the present matter”.
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