Custodial death: Relief for Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Nov 1 (IBNS) A special anti-corruption court on Tuesday rejected probe by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or any local investigation agency into the circumstances that led to death of the National Conference (NC) worker Syed Muhammad Yousuf.

The inmates of Yousuf, who allegedly died in police custody last month, had demanded a CBI probe in the case involving Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Minister of State (MoS) Home Nasir Aslam Wani and Union minister Farooq Abdullah.

Soon after the judgment pronounced by Anti-Corruption Special Judge Mohammad Yusuf Akhoon, son of the deceased NC worker Syed Talib told reporters that he is disappointed and will approach the high court.

"The judgment shocked me a bit. Though I am disappointed, I will not give in and will approach to the high court," Talib told reporters soon after the judgment on the court premises in Srinagar.
While dismissing the petition filed by the son of deceased NC worker, the special judge said that there is no occasion for this court to pass any directions either to the CBI or any local investigating agency to probe the allegations.

Judge Mohammad Yusuf Akhoon, however, maintained that the applicant has a forum available to seek redressal in the form of Judicial Magistrate.

Tuesday´s judgment is a big relief for Omar Abdullah.
Pertinently, the Supreme Court on Monday had sought the Union and sate government´s response on a plea for CBI probe into the alleged custodial death of Syed Mohammad Yousuf.

Earlier, the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court had rejected the request of the state government to spare the services of a sitting judge for probing this case.

Following the rejection, the state government had written a letter to Union Law Minister Salman Khursheed requesting him to appoint any retired Supreme Court Judge to probe the case of Yousuf.

The mysterious death of Yousuf created chaos in Jammu and Kashmir and the opposition prty PDP while terming his death as 'murder for money' demanding the resignation of Omar Abdullah.

The revelations made by another NC worker Salam Reshi made it ample clear that corruption with in the party is rampant.
Yousuf died in alleged Crime Branch custody in September, hours after he was handed over to the agency by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his residence after there were allegations leveled against him by two NC workers that he had taken money from them for favors.

The medical report suggested that cardiac arrest was responsible for his death.

However, Salam Reshi, another NC worker claimed that he was beaten at CM residence.

Another witness and former representative of Chief Minister's Ganderbal constituency, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat has maintained silence over this issue and he is residing under the security cover at his North Kashmir's Ganderbal mansion.

Soon after the death of the Haji Yousuf, the Chief Minister's security staff was transferred immediately though the police and the state government called the action routine administrative transfers.

(Reporting by Neyaz Elahi)