Srinagar acid attack: Police files charge against juvenile, 2 other accused

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police Tuesday filed a 1000 page chargehseet against the three accused including a juvenile into the Srinagar acid attack case and stated that “there is enough proof to prove the role of accused and that early justice was expected in the case.”
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Rakesh Balwal said that police have filed a 1000 page chargesheet before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar and also before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) as one of the three accused is a minor.
“We have enough evidence in this case. Maximum punishment in this case can be life imprisonment,” the SSP said. “We have recorded at least ten statements. Forensic evidence has collaborated with our probe. We have also recovered acid bottle from the house of the accused. Fingerprints of the accused have matched with those on the acid.”
He said that the movement of the accused on a scooty while moving towards the incident site has also been recorded in the CCTV. “This is a water tight case and I hope justice will be done early,” the SSP Srinagar said. “We have enough technical and physical evidence.”
A police spokesman in a statement issued here said that, a special investigation team of Srinagar Police, produced about 1000 page chargesheet in the recent acid attack case of a 24-year-old woman in Srinagar.
“The SIT was headed by SP North Raja Zuhaib, with Yasir Parrey SDPO Khanyar, SHO PS Safakadal, SHO PS Nowhatta, SHO PS Women as its members, have completed the investigation of the case (registered at PS Nowhatta, FIR No 08/2022 U/S 326-A and 120-B IPC)within the shortest possible time after arresting three accused persons identified as Sajid Altaf Sheikh(Rather) (A-1) S/o Mohamad Altaf Sheikh R/o Buchwara Dalgate, Srinagar, Muhamad Saleem Kumar (A-2) S/o Ab Gani Kumar R/o Dalgate (AP Padshhi Bagh), Srinagar, and third accused (Juvenile).
“Based on oral testimonies, statement of relevant witnesses in front of judicial and executive magistrates, Scientific evidences, a strong chargesheet against accused persons (A-1 & A-2) was produced in CJM Court, while chargesheet against the juvenile in conflict with law namely Moomin has been produced before the Juvenile Justice Board,” the statement said.
Police said that it has been also prayed before the JJB court that the juvenile may be tried as an adult as per the provisions of section 15 of the Juvenile Justice Act as he falls in range of more than 16 years and less than 18 years and he has committed a heinous crime.
“The sections invoked in the chargesheet call for a punishment ranging from ten years to Life imprisonment. We are hopeful of a maximum punishment as per extreme heinous nature of this crime,” the statement said. “Srinagar police have deputed a dedicated Pairavi officer for this case for day to day hearing. Legal Procedure for having a dedicated special Public prosecutor for this case has also been started.”
Srinagar police assure all the citizens that they will remain associated with this case by coordinating with prosecution till the speedy and exemplary judgement in this case comes. “SSP Srinagar and all ranks of district police assure the general public that crime against women will be dealt with very strictly,” the statement said.
On February 1, three youth threw acid on a 24-year-old woman in old city Srinagar leaving her face completely damaged. The victim has also lost here eyesight and is under treatment at a hospital out of J&K. Victim’s father Nisar Ahmed Chaloo said that they have received the chargesheet through their lawyer. “We are satisfied with the chargsheet, what we demand is that there should be an exemplary punishment to all accused so that no other daughter suffers,” he said