Srinagar: Police Wednesday recorded the statement of petitioner Sukesh C Khajuria who is seeking completion of preliminary inquiry against former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah for his alleged pro freedom speeches.
Khajuria claimed that he appeared before Station House Officer (SHO) of police station Nigeen here following summons by the Investigating Officer (IO) for recording his statement in connection with his complaint against Dr Abdullah, president of the National Conference (NC).
During the recording of my statement by SHO Tanveer Khan, I reiterated the contents of my complaint lodged on February 28, 2017 to the District Magistrate (DM) Jammu which was subsequently forwarded to DM Srinagar, Khajuria said here this afternoon.
He said in my statement I submitted that Dr Abdullah while addressing a gathering on the occasion of 111th birth anniversary on his father Late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on December 5, 2016 at Naseem Bagh Hazratbal Srinagar indulged in commission of offence under section 124-A RPC as he openly sided with the separatists particularly Huriyat Conference and extended complete support of “freedom movement”.
The petitioner has also submitted that Dr Abdullah in his address openly said, ” be united, move ahead, take this freedom moment forwarded and we will never be free if we don’t get united and if we are divided we will be at loss”.
The petition filed before DM, Jammu further alleged that yet another seditious speech was made by Dr Abdullah on February 24, 2017 at Nawa-e-Subh Srinagar where a function had been organised to commemorate the second death anniversary of former NC general secretary Sheikh Nazir.
Khajuria alleged that speaking in Kashmiri language, Dr Abdullah had said, “Our youth are not sacrificing their lives for becoming MLAs, MPs or ministers but for their rights. This is our land and we are its rightful owners. The boys joining militant ranks are sacrificing their lives for the freedom of their nation. This (generation) is out to achieve the freedom for this nation. These youth have chosen a path and they have promised to God, you are the soul giver and taker of lives but we will sacrifice our lives for this nation”.
Earlier on September 1, 2017 Justice Janak Raj Kotwal of J&K high court Jammu wing issued notices to the SSP Srinagar and SHO police station Nigeen in a writ petition filed by Khajurua seeking the monitoring of the preliminary inquiry against Dr Abdullah by the state high court so that it reaches to its logical conclusion.
The petitioner has also referred various judgement of Apex court including Lalita Kumari v/s state of UP wherein a constitution bench of the apex court has ruled that as preliminary inquiry in a criminal case should not exceed 15 days.
The petitioner for monitoring of the preliminary inquiry by the state high court has relied upon the judgement of the the supreme court Vineet Narain v/s union of India (Hawala Case) wherein the supreme court held that when the accusation are leveled against the high profile politicians/bigwigs then the constitutional courts must monitor the investigation till it’s completion so that the confidence of the public is instilled in the fairness/impartiality of the investigation, Khajuria said.
