Zahid Farooq killing: Govt completes argument against GSFC trial

Srinagar: The Prosecution Friday completed arguments against proceedings in General Security Forces Court (GSFC) into the murder of teenager, Zahid Farooq, allegedly by the BSF men last year. “Additional Advocate General, Mr Ali Mohammad Magray completed the arguments while Mr Nazir Ronga (counsel for family) sought time after party arguing the case for further arguments,” assistant solicitor general when contacted told.  “The judge, justice J P Singh, is not available for some weeks here, and he desired to hear the case at Jammu and the parties have accepted that they will come to Jammu,” he added.  He said that liberty was granted to the counsel for the parties to approach chief justice for asking necessary directions for hearing the case at Jammu. The single bench has already described the case as a “sensitive” matter.  On February Feb 23 last, the bench extended its stay over proceedings in GSFCinto the murder. However the court had directed that BSF may go ahead with recording of evidences into the case but underlined that the final orders with regard to Recording Of Evidences remain stayed.  The high court had on 03 December last stayed the trial in the GSFC after the state government moved a writ petition, challenging it.On November 25, CJM Srinagar, Yashpal Bourney, allowed the plea by the BSF through Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Brig (Retd) R M Painuly, seeking stay in the civil proceedings and transfer of case to GSFC under section 80 of BSF Act of 1989.BSF Commandant RK Birdi and his sub-ordinate Lakhwinder Kumar are accused in the killing of Zahid Farooq in an unprovoked firing near teenager’s residence at Nishat in city outskirts on February 05 last year.In its 3-page charge-sheet, the special investigation team of police charged the BSF personnel under Section 302 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), an offence punished with death or imprisonment for life and fine.