Jalil Andrabi murder case

Srinagar, February 07 (KMS):  The family of the deceased lawyer and human rights activist, Jaleel Andrabi moved two fresh applications before Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar seeking initiation of proceedings against the prime accused, Major Avtar Singh in five FIRs registered against him at different police stations under murder charges.

The family has also asked the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and Chandigarh passport authorities to provide travel documents and details of Singh’s emigration from India.

As the case came up for hearing before the CJM, Advocate Arshad Andrabi, brother of Jaleel Andrabi, filed two applications before the court. The first application prayed that the Chandigarh Passport Office, which issued passport to Avtar Singh despite the ruling of IHK High Court about compounding his passport, be directed to provide details of his travel documents. Besides, the application prayed that Indian External Ministry be directed to provide details of his exit points.

The second application asked the court for initiating proceedings against Major Avtar Singh in five other FIRs registered against him at PS Rajbagh, Sadder and Shaheed Gunj under murder charges.

“SSP Srinagar vide his letter dated October 23, 2001 had submitted in the Court that accused is also involved in five murder cases registered at different city police stations.  We request the court to start proceedings against Avtar Singh in these cases as it is related to our case,” Arshad submitted in his application. After admitting the applications and hearing the applicant lawyer, the court reserved final orders in two applications.

Major Avtar, who served with 35 Rashtriya Rifles unit of Army in Srinagar, kidnapped Jaleel Andrabi, a renowned HR activist and High Court lawyer on March 8, 1996 near Barzulla locality of Srinagar when he was driving home with his wife. His badly mutilated and tortured body was fished out from Jhelum River near Srinagar on March 27, 1996. Subsequently, on orders of High Court, a murder case was registered against Avtar Singh and others. The accused is said to be in Canada.