In a significant development, the Court of Judicial Magistrate, First Class in Banihal, Jammu & Kashmir has rejected the closure report submitted by the police in the case of a soldier's murder that took place 17 years ago in Banihal. Expressing dissatisfaction over the police investigation, the court has ordered a fresh probe, citing suspicions of an attempt to protect someone involved in the crime.
The soldier, Sepoy Yuvraj Uttam Rao of the 17 Rashtriya Rifles, was found dead with multiple bullet wounds on his chest inside a sentry post at an army camp in Banihal on May 19, 2006. The initial investigation conducted by the police concluded that the murder could have been the work of unknown individuals or possibly an act of terrorism. However, no evidence was collected to support the theory of a terrorist attack on the camp that night. Furthermore, the presence of bullet holes in the roof of the sentry post indicated that the bullets were fired from inside.
The court criticized the investigating officer for not exploring the possibility of an insider's involvement in the crime and failing to identify the perpetrators. The investigation remained incomplete for nearly 17 years, raising concerns about the lack of effort in uncovering the truth. The court expressed surprise over the delay in presenting the closure report, which was prepared in 2016 but only submitted to the court in 2021. The report had been sitting at the Banihal police station for six years.
In response to these shortcomings, Banihal Judicial Magistrate Manmohan Kumar has taken action, rejecting the closure report and ordering a fresh investigation into the case. The District Superintendent of Police has been directed to supervise the investigation personally and ensure its completion within a three-month period.
Highlighting the discrepancies in the previous investigation, the court emphasized the need to identify and apprehend the culprits responsible for the soldier's murder. It criticized the casualness and callousness of the police, stating that their reluctance to conduct a thorough investigation raised serious doubts about their intentions and the possibility of protecting someone involved in the crime.
With the passage of time, the court stressed the urgency of the matter and emphasized the importance of doing justice in this long-pending murder case. The court's order for a fresh investigation aims to shed light on the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice. The police have been instructed to submit the investigative report to the relevant court, where further legal proceedings will take place in accordance with the law.
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