The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — A court here on Wednesday awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment to a 42-year-old man convicted of raping a minor girl here in 2012.

The Court of 2nd Additional Sessions Judge Srinagar, Renu Dogra Gupta, also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 to the convict, Irshad Ahmad Malik of Kokernag Anantnag (presently at Anchar Soura) for the commission of the offence under section 376 RPC.

“In case of default in payment of fine, the accused shall further undergo simple imprisonment for a period of six months,” the court said as per the verdict and ordered him to be lodged in Central Jail Srinagar to serve the sentence. However, the court said, the custody undergone by the convict during the investigation, inquiry and trial of the case, shall be set off against the sentence of imprisonment.

According to the prosecution, police received a complaint from the father of the victim that he took his daughter for a check-up after she complained of abdominal pain and upon tests by the doctors, she was declared to be having a child in her womb.

The complainant said that upon enquiry by him and his wife, the minor disclosed that the person who resides in their neighborhood as a tenant, Irshad Ahmad Malik, raped her several times.

Subsequently, a case (FIR No. 33/2012) under Section 376 RPC was registered in Police Station Soura and the investigation culminated in the filing of the chargesheet under Section 376 RPC on June 23, 2012. Subsequently, the trial ensued and culminated in the conviction of the accused.

SRINAGAR — A court in Srinagar has convicted a man for raping a 14-year-old girl in Soura area of Srinagar in 2012 and termed it a “crime against society”.

According to the prosecution, police received a complaint from the father of the victim that he took his daughter for a check-up after she complained of abdominal pain and upon tests by the doctors, she was declared to be having a child in her womb.

The complainant said that upon inquiry by him and his wife, the minor disclosed that the person who resides in their neighborhood as a tenant, namely Irshad Ahmad Malik of Kokernag, raped her several times.

Subsequently, a case (FIR No. 33/2012) under Section 376 RPC was registered in Police Station Soura and the investigation culminated in the filing of the chargesheet under Section 376 RPC on June 23, 2012. Subsequently, the trial ensued and culminated in the conviction of the accused, Irshad Ahmad of Malik of Ahlan Gadwak Kokernag, presently at Anchar Soura.

“It is established that the accused at the time of committing the heinous crime of rape with a minor girl who was studying in 4th class, was a major married person living with his wife in a rented room in the neighborhood of the victim who used to go there for playing with the younger brother of the accused who was also putting up with them there,” presiding officer of 2nd Additional Session Judge Srinagar, Renu Dogra Gupta said after hearing the counsel for accused and additional Public Prosecutor Farooq Ahmad Malik.

“The accused had gagged her mouth and committed the heinous and barbaric crime of rape with her there and also threatened her not to disclose the same to anyone,” the court said and convicted him for the offence under 376 RPC (rape).

The accused being a major and married person, the court said, was fully aware of the consequences of his “barbaric act”. The crime of this nature against the child girl, the court said, is definitely a crime against society.

“This court is of the considered opinion that the prosecution has successfully proved the guilt of the accused beyond any reasonable doubt. Therefore, the accused is liable to be convicted for the offence punishable under Sections 376 of RPC,” the court said and convicted him, as per the verdict.

Subsequently, the court ordered him to be taken to judicial custody in Central Jail Srinagar and ordered the listing of the case for the quantum of punishment on Wednesday.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday claimed to have busted yet another prostitution racket in Srinagar outskirts by arresting six persons including the main kingpin and a sex worker.

A police spokesman in a statement issued to the news agency KNO said that in continuation of the investigation of the recently unearthed prostitution racket in Bagh-e-Mehtab, which was being investigated under FIR No. 19/23 of Police Station Chanpora, Srinagar Police has busted another prostitution racket in the Nowgam area, in which three persons running the racket have been arrested on the spot including a woman.

The arrested persons include Shabir Ahmed Mir, son of Abdul Rahim Mir of Charlipora Nowgam, who was the main kingpin of the racket; his wife Shazia Shabir Mir, who was operating this prostitution racket along with her husband and Adil Gulzar Hazar, son of Gulzar Ahmed Hazaar of Soura Srinagar, co-accused in running the racket.

In addition to this, a sex worker, a local girl (name withheld) and two customers identified as Nazir Ahmad Malla, son of Ghulam Qadir Malla of Narbal and Irshad Ahmad Dar, son of Ghulam Nabi Dar of Narbal have been detained as well.

“The investigation is on and more such raids are expected to be made in the coming days. The general public is once again requested to verify the identity of their tenants with the local police station and install CCTVs in their properties. People should report any immoral and illegal activity noticed to the nearest police station or at women's helpline: 9596770601; narcotic helpline: 9596770550; PCR: 9596222551,” police said.

SRINAGAR — Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta on Saturday inaugurated the state-of-the-art new digital cardiac catheterization lab for SKIMS, Soura here.

On the occasion, Secretary, Health; Director, SKIMS; Director Health, Kashmir; HoDs of different departments of SKIMS and many other concerned officers participated in person or virtually through video link.

While speaking at this event, Dr. Mehta observed that the endeavour of the government is to provide the best facilities to its citizens. He said that the administration is committed to making every health institution sufficient in terms of facilities available as per their status. He maintained that the aim is to provide efficient and quality service.

The Chief Secretary impressed the health professionals to improve work ethics to improve satisfaction levels. He told them to work honestly and with integrity for the benefit of the poor masses. He termed the health sector as one of the foremost priorities of the LG administration and "the days are not far when people from outside would visit J&K for treatment instead of local people going outside the UT".

The Director SKIMS, Prof Parvaiz Koul revealed that the new digital cardiac catheterization lab dedicated to the public has been installed in the premier health Institute of the UT at a cost of Rs 8.5 crores. He further informed that the Cath Lab would enhance the capacity of the Institute to perform the advanced interventional cardiology procedures that are going to bring respite to a large number of patients here.

It was informed that the Cardiology department of SKIMS is a pioneer in J&K to do heart-related procedures right from 1982, the year of its establishment. It was also informed that the department has come a long way since then without losing its position of being the first choice among the patients for treatment.

It was informed that the department has long been doing the procedures like electrophysiological procedures, pacemaker removals, and other procedures. The department is said to be among the top Cardiology departments in the country in terms of its performance. The center is the only one in the UT, performing complicated and pediatric interventions regularly.

SRINAGAR — The authorities at SKIMS Soura have advised people to remain alert and not to fall prey to unscrupulous elements as fake appointment orders are currently under circulation.

"It has come to the notice of this Department that some fake appointment orders are currently under circulation, where-under several persons have been shown to have been appointed as D.E.Os/N.Os/FMPHW/GNM/OTs/Lab Technicians in SKIMS, whereas no such orders or related correspondence have been issued by this Department," reads the public notice.

"It is made clear that SKIMS has not issued any such appointment orders and some unscrupulous elements are operating, thereby trying to mislead the candidates by issuing such fabricated orders of appointment against various posts at SKIMS which shall not be treated as authentic," it reads.

SRINAGAR — Two militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) from Shopian district were killed in a predawn gunfight with the police in Soura area of Kashmir capital on Friday, police said.

Inspector-General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that two LeT militants were killed in Soura days after a cop was killed by the militants.

In Soura, the two killed militants of LeT have been identified as Shakir Ahmed Waza and Afreen Aftab Malik, both residents of Trenz Shopian and 'C' categorised militants, Kashmir Police said quoting IGP on Twitter.

Kumar, according to news agency Kashmir Dot Com, further said that four LeT militants have been killed in less than 10 hours in twin operations including those who were involved in the killing of artist Amreen Bhat.

Earlier, two LeT militants were killed in an overnight gunfight in Awantipora.

"Both killed newly joined local militants identified as Shahid Mushtaq Bhat R/O Hafroo Chadoora Budgam & Farhan Habib R/O Hakripora Pulwama. They had killed TV artist on the instruction of LeT Commander Lateef. 01 AK 56 rifle, 4 magazines and a pistol recovered," said IGP Kashmir.

Incriminating material including arms and ammunition was recovered from both the encounter sites in Srinagar and Awantipora and cases have also been registered in respective police stations for further investigation.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday arrested three persons including a juvenile for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor girl in Malbagh area of Soura in Srinagar outskirts.

According to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), police said that three persons kidnapped a minor girl from Taqdeer Park Hazratbal and sexually assaulted her at a rented house at Malbagh.

Soon after receiving the information, officials at Police Station Nigeen registered a case under FIR number 57/2022 under section 363-342-354/IPC and started the an investigation.

The trio were arrested by police while the victim was shifted to the hospital for a medical checkup.

Meanwhile, police in a tweet said that three persons involved in the act were arrested.

“Three accused including one juvenile apprehended for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor girl in Malbagh, Soura. The girl was kidnapped from Hazratbal area and taken to Malbagh by these accused. Case registered under relevant sections of POCSO and IPC Act at Nigeen PS,” Srinagar Police tweeted.

“Juvenile has been lodged in Observation home at Harwan, while other two adult accused have been arrested and lodged in lock-up of Nigeen Police Station,” police added.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday said to have arrested two sons from central Kashmir's Soura area on charges of murdering their father and dumping his body in Dal Lake.

"On 07/04/2022 on a reliable information that an unidentified body was lying in the Dal Lake near Akhoon Mohalla Foreshore road, Police Station Nigeen swung into action and fished out the body from the said spot and shifted it to the hospital for medico-legal formalities followed by inquest proceedings under section 174 CRPC," said a police spokesperson in a statement issued to GNS.

"The body was identified as of Khurshid Ahmad Tota, 62, son of Ghulam Nabi Tota, resident of Elahibagh Soura," the statement reads.

"After medical formalities, the body was handed over to its legal heirs. The preliminary medical report revealed marks on the neck etc. Also, through an investigation into other suspicious circumstances, it came to the fore that the deceased has been murdered by unknown persons who then threw the body into the Dal Lake and accordingly, case FIR number 34/2022 u/s 302, 120 (B) IPC, 201 IPC was registered in Police Station Nigeen and investigation was taken up," the statement reads.

"Through circumstantial evidence, oral witnesses, CCTVs and technical analysis, it came to the fore that the deceased was killed by his family members at their home on the evening of April 5 after some altercation, and the body was kept at home for a day," the statement maintains, adding that on the evening of April 6, after proper planning, they shifted the body in an i20 vehicle and threw it into the Dal Lake to conceal the crime.

"The two sons of the deceased have been arrested and the vehicle seized with the further investigation going on. More arrests will follow," concludes the statement.