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Birdi, Lakhvinder’s Remand Extended

SAMAAN LATIEF

Zahid’s Killing

Srinagar, Mar 15: The Jammu and Kashmir Police is likely slap murder charges against BSF Commandant R K Birdhi and constable Lakhvinder Kumar accused of killing a teenaged boy in Nishat area of the city last month. In its charge sheet to be filed before a court later this week, the police are likely to charge the duo under Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) Section 302 which deals with murder, official sources said.

The BSF personnel may also be charged under Section 120-B, which deals with criminal conspiracy, and Section 210 for destruction of evidence, they said. Investigations into the killing of 16-year-old Zahid at Brein Nishat on February 5 have almost been completed and the charge sheet is likely to be filed in next few days, the sources said.

Meanwhile, a local court here on Monday extended the judicial remand of the paramilitary BSF commandant, R K Birdi and his subordinate, Lakhvinder Kumar, by seven days. The duo was arrested in connection with the killing of the Nishat teenager, Zahid Farooq, shot dead on city outskirts on February 5.

Birdi, who was sent to 10-day judicial remand by Chief Judicial Magistrate, Muhammad Ibrahim Wani on March 7, was today produced by police in the court of the Passenger Tax Judicial Magistrate Masrat Shaheen to seek extension of his judicial remand. However, Birdi’s counsel, Moulvi Ejaz argued that his client should be shifted to the BSF hospital at Humhama as his medical records were lying there. “My client is suffering from unstable angina and could suffer from heart attack any time,” Moulvi Ejaz informed the court.

Birdi also submitted before court that he was suffering from chest pain and cardiac ailment.

Special prosecuting officer Abdul Aziz Teli said that Birdi was an accused and should be treated like other accused in jails. “There shall be no special treatment for him,” he submitted before the court.

The court directed the superintendent of police, Central jail, to lodge Birdi under safe and proper custody and provide the required medical treatment and facility to him. “In case he needs consultation of BSF doctors, the superintendent of Central Jail should provide him. However, he should not be handed over to BSF doctors for treatment,” the court ordered.

The Judge enquired from the doctor accompanying Birdi whether any authority had directed him to do so. “No My Lord. I came here of my own,” the doctor replied.

Subsequently, judge asked him to leave the court. Another accused Lakhwinder Kumar was also present in the court.

Following the submissions made by the prosecution and defence, court extended the judicial remand of the two accused till March 22.

Pertinently, Lakhvinder, a BSF constable was arrested earlier last month on murder charges. He had reportedly told the Special Investigation Team of the police that Birdi had “forced him to open fire” at Zahid.

Following which police tightened noose around Birdi and arrested him on murder and other charges. The FIR No 04/2010 under sections 302, 109, 201 RPC stands registered in Police Station Nishat against the duo.