Court declines police’s plea for remand of two SMC employees

SRINAGAR — A court here on Wednesday granted bail to two SMC employees, a day after they were arrested in connection with demolishing traffic police booths in the city allegedly in retaliation to a challan filed against the Corporation’s vehicle by men in blue.

City Judge Ajaz Kumar granted the bail after Owais Ahmad Khan and Niyaz Ahmad Gabroo were produced along with a remand application by SHO Police Station Shergari, praying for their police remand up to February.

“The accused persons have been arrested in the case on 07-02-2023. An offence under Section 364 IPC is not made out against the accused persons. At most, the offence under Section 363 IPC can be said to be made out in the case which is bailable,” the court said, adding, “The rest of the offences in question are not very severely punished.”

The accused persons, the court said, are government officials and there is no threat of them fleeing the course of justice. “The facts and circumstances of the case are such that there is no need for their further custodial interrogation by the police,” the court said and rejected the plea for their remand and directed their release on bail on furnishing a personal bond and surety bond before the Court in the sum of Rs. 50,000 provided they are not required in any other case.

“The accused shall cooperate with the IO in the investigation of the case and shall not threaten any prosecution witness,” the court said.