Kupwara, April 24, KNT: A court in Kupwara has ordered framing of charges against seven accused in a custodial torture case investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), while discharging a senior police officer due to lack of sufficient evidence.
The order was passed by the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kupwara, on April 24, 2026, in a case arising out of FIR RC-0482025S0008 registered by the CBI.
According to the court record (page 1 of the order), the case relates to allegations that a police constable was subjected to illegal detention, wrongful confinement, and physical assault at the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) Kupwara in February 2023.
The court observed that the material on record, including the victim’s statement and medical evidence, prima facie indicates custodial violence. The order notes that injuries found on multiple parts of the body were consistent with physical assault rather than self-inflicted harm.
CCTV footage and forensic evidence were also examined during the investigation. While the footage did not cover the entire period, the court said it does not conclusively negate the prosecution’s case at this stage.
The court framed charges under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 323, 325, 330, 331, and 343, relating to hurt, grievous hurt, and wrongful confinement.
However, DySP Aijaz Ahmad Naik was discharged from the case. The court held that there was no material indicating his direct participation, facilitation, or knowledge of the alleged acts beyond his supervisory role.
The remaining accused, including police personnel and others named in the chargesheet, have been directed to face trial. The court noted that at the stage of framing charges, the threshold is whether the material raises a “grave suspicion,” which it found satisfied against the other accused.
The case will now proceed to trial, with the accused required to appear before the court for further proceedings. [KNT]
© Kashmir News Trust (KNT). Unauthorized use without attribution is prohibited.
