Custodial death: SC sends notice to Omar

New Delhi, Oct 31 (IBNS) The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to Union Government of India, Jammu and Kashmir government and state Director General of Police (DGP) in connection to the alleged custodial death of National Conference (NC) worker Syed Mohammad Yousuf.

A bench of justices Altamas Kabir and SS Nijjar issued the notices to seek their response on a plea for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into Yousuf's death.

They will have to reply to the apex court within two weeks.

Appearing for the petitioner, counsel Bhim Singh told the apex court that CBI must take up the case as Yousuf died after visiting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's residence.

Syed Mohammad Yousuf, an NC worker and a close associate of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's from south Kashmir´s Anantnag district, died on September 30, allegedly in police custody after two fellow party workers, Salam Reshi and Yousf Bhat had accused him of taking Rs 1.18 crore from them for getting them berths in the Legislative Council.

According to the government version, the accused was summoned to the camp office of the Chief Minister where he was confronted with the allegation about taking money.
Yousuf had admitted to taking money after which he was handed over to Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Crime Branch, Raja Ajaz Ali for further investigations.

However, he complained of nausea while on way to the Crime Branch office. He was taken to a hospital where he died of cardiac arrest, the government version said.

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and family members have been alleging that there is something fishy in the death.