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‘Fund raising’ case against Dr Qasim: Court asks prosecution to adduce evidence

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 8/25/2012 11:36:16 PM

SRINAGAR, Aug 25: The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) has asked prosecution to adduce evidence against jailed senior separatist leader Dr Muhammad Qasim Faktoo, in an alleged “fund raising” case.
According to Advocate Urfi, counsel for Dr Qasim the court once again granted an opportunity to the prosecution to produce evidence till second week of September.
“The case pertains to a police allegation leveled against Dr Qasim that he raised funds for Hurriyat Conference on January 19, 2002. While as my client says that at that time he was lodged in central jail under Public Safety Act. But this will be argued before the court at an appropriate time,” she told Kashmir Times.
Pertinently, On March 3, a city court allowed Dr Qasim to have a telephonic conversation with his family in presence of Superintendent Central Jail where Dr Faktoo is lodged.
According to advocate Urfi, the counsel for Dr Qasim, the 3rd additional session’s judge has allowed the application which was filed on behalf of Dr Faktoo to have a telephonic conversation with his family.
“Dr Qasim had sought telephonic conversation with his family which has been allowed by the court,” said advocate Urfi.
Earlier on March 1, the same court had adjourned hearing in a recovery of arms case against, Dr Qasim.
As the matter came up for hearing before 3rd additional session’s judge, here, the public prosecutor had sought time to present statement of witnesses.
Pertinently, Dr Qasim was first detained in 1993 under the Public Safety Act. However, after 6 years of imprisonment, a TADA court acquitted him of all the charges. Police later rearrested him again at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in 2002 after attending a Conference on Kashmir in London.
In 2003 he was sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of his alleged involvement in murder of human rights activist, H N Wanchoo in 1992. Dr Faktoo denied the charges. Earlier, Dr Qasim had filed a petition praying that he was entitled for a review of his sentence. The High Court later asked the government on May 23, 2008 to constitute a review board to consider his release.
Following a meeting, the review board recommended his premature relase. However, the government rejected the review board recommendation. But Dr Qasim filed another petition before the High Court. On August 3, last year the High Court reserved its order in the matter.
After hearing Mian Abdul Qayoom counsel for Dr Qasim, Justice Hakeem Imitiyaz Hussein, reserved the judgment. Qayoom had pleaded against the rejection of Review Board—comprising of then DGP Prisons and Principal District and Sessions Judge Srinagar Hasnain Masoodi—recommendations by then IGP CID headquarters.
After Dr Faktoo challenged his detention, the court directed the government to review his case, and on June 3, 2008 the government constituted a Review Board under the provision of J&K Jail Manual 2000.