Police files chargesheet against journalist Asif Sultan

SRINAGAR — Police in Srinagar have filed a chargesheet against ten accused, including jailed journalist Asif Sultan, for allegedly giving shelter to militants who killed a police constable in a shootout in August last year.

A police spokesman said the Srinagar Police submitted the charge sheet in respect of case FIR No 173/2018 of P/S Batamaloo.

“The FIR pertains to the incident dated 12-08-2018 wherein militants hiding in a residence at Diyarwani, Batamaloo, Srinagar fled away from spot after indiscriminately firing at police party wherein one police personnel SgCt. Parvaiz Ahmad got martyred,” he said, in a statement.

After conclusion of investigation, he said, the chargesheet has been filed before the competent Court by Srinagar Police U/S 120-B read with 34, 302, 30, 326, RPC, 7/27 IA Act, 16, 18, 19, 20, 38 & 39 of ULA(P) Act and substantive offences thereof subsequent to obtaining necessary Government sanction for prosecution under ULA(P) Act.

“The chargesheet has been filed against ten accused including Mohammed Shafeeq Bhat R/o Diyarwani, Batamaloo; Waseem Khan R/o Diyarwani, Batamaloo; Bilal Ahmad Bhat R/o Kund Qazigund; Mst. Shazia Yaqoob alias Pari R/o Kamad Anantnag and Asif Sultan R/o Firdousabad, Batamaloo,” he said, adding they have been charged for their alleged role in hatching a criminal conspiracy for the militant act, harbouring militant and “giving support to the proscribed organisation besides substantive offences of law as mentioned above.”