Srinagar, May 16 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, the High Court has directed Indian army’s General Officer Commanding (GOC) Northern Command to provide the whereabouts of an army colonel, wanted in connection with the enforced disappearance of a civilian six years ago.

Justice Hakim Imtiyaz Hussain directed the GOC to inform the court about the present posting of Colonel Kishore Malhotra, who was the mastermind behind the abduction and enforced disappearance of Manzoor Ahmed Dar of Rawalpora in 2002.

Manzoor, a medical shop owner, was picked up by troopers of Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and their agents on the intervening night of January 18 and 19 in 2002 from his house. Police investigations revealed that during that period Colonel Malhotra was active in the area.

Jana, the half widow of Manzoor, filed a writ petition in the court seeking whereabouts of her husband. The court of justice R C Gandhi in 2002 asked the puppet administration to produce the detainee before the court. He also directed the  (CJM) to hold inquiry in to the case and report the findings to the court. The magistrate confirmed the arrest of Manzoor by the RR saying that the whereabouts of the detainee were not known. 

The High Court afterwards asked the police to conduct a fast track investigation into the matter. The police inquiry substantiated the observations of the CJM and approached   brigade commander of 12 sector RR who expressed his helplessness in producing the accused before the investigating agency.

The court was left with no option except directing the Northern Command for providing the whereabouts of the accused colonel.