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HC upholds life sentence to Budgam resident

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 10/4/2013 1:52:49 AM

SRINAGAR, Oct 3: The High Court has upheld life sentence to a resident of Kikerbagh-Budgam accused of killing three persons in 2002.
A division bench of the High Court comprising Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Muzaffar Hussain Attar upheld the verdict of ‘rigorous life imprisonment’ awarded to Ghulam Mohammad Bhat of Kikerbagh by Principal District and Sessions Judge Budgam. The High Court said that the trial lower court has not any illegality in passing the verdict.
“The criminal justice system forms the foundation on which the edifice of an orderly society rests. When it is proved beyond all shadows of doubt that a person has committed offense, then it is the duty of the court to convict and impose appropriate sentence on such person,” the High Court said.
The Bench while dismissing the appeal filed by Bhat said: “Peace and order in the society largely depends upon the punishment inflicted on the offenders.”
The case pertains according to prosecution pertains to use of illegal firearm. On October 9, 2002 police station Khag Budgam had registered an FIR (60/2002), following information that Bhat entered into the house of Sulla Khokar son of Rahman Khokar of Kikerbagh and by use of “illegal firearm” fired upon Abdul Majid Dar, Mushtaq Ahmad Dar and Mohammad Maqboot Khatana.
The trio died and police filed case under section 302 RPC. As per prosecution, Abdul Majid Dar, was working as a source with Army’s 34 RR. After escaping from the house, Bhat, according to prosecution, was arrested on 12 October 2002.
The police produced charge sheet against Bhat before a designated court in Budgam which was committed to the Session’s court. The Session’s court after hearing the prosecution and the defense lawyers pronounced its verdict.
Bhat was sentenced life imprisonment which he appealed before the High Court. After hearing hectic arguments, the division bench upheld the verdict pronounced by the Principal District and Session’s judge Budgam.