Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 11: The father of the minor girl in Handwara molestation case today filed undertaking in High Court indicating therein that they do not need any police protection or protective custody.
A petition was filed before the High Court by the mother of victim after the incident of alleged molestation of school girl by army personnel that evoked strong protests across the Valley resulting into killing of 5 civilians.
The Division Bench while reserving the case for judgment after hearing both the counsels and in detail had directed that let girl’s mother or father give undertaking that the girl does not need police protection.
The father of the girl says that his minor daughter and sister-in-law have been in wrongful custody in the Handwara police from 12 April 2016 till date. “That at no point has deponent, his minor daughter or sister-in-law, voluntarily sought police protection or protective custody”, reads the undertaking.
He further submits on behalf of his minor daughter and family that they do not require any police protection or protective custody and wish to move freely and reside at any place of their choose. “We do not seek any restrictions, regulations or surveillance of our movements by any agency” reads the undertaking.
Petitioner’s contentions before the court were that her minor girl has been taken into illegal custody by the Superintendent of Police Handwara and SHO Handwara on April 12. She further submits that her daughter was dragged to the Police Station following her making the allegation of sexual assault.
Petitioner (mother of minor girl) seeks direction from the court that her daughter and other relatives who are in police custody be brought before the court immediately.
She further prays that Director General of Police be directed to order for registering of FIR against SP and SHO Handwara for the illegal arrest and detention of her minor daughter and other relatives and speedy and fair investigation be carried out into the matter.
That the respondent-State in their objections in opposition to the petition submitted before the court that husband and the daughter of the petitioner were provided protective custody and security in view of apprehending grave and imminent to threat to their lives.
It may be mentioned here that the court has already rejected the plea of Lawyers body (Bar Association) for conducting of judicial probe by sitting High Court judge into the incident and has upheld the constitution of Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by DIG north Kashmir range.
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