Calls for impartial investigation by ACB
A local court here rejected a bail application of a man accused of offering bribe to a police officer, saying it was advisable that Anti Corruption Bureau should take the investigation in the case. The Anti Corruption Court, Srinagar announced the order after going through the bail application, report from the police and objections from the prosecution. All these materials were submitted through WhatsApp.“I am of the considered view that the petitioner’s case doesn’t qualify for the concession of bail at this stage. As such the bail application is rejected,” the court said. The court observed it was appropriate for the ACB to conduct the investigation in right perspective in the case. “It is advisable that ACB Kashmir should take the investigation in the case,” the court said. As per the prosecution, Station House Officer, Zadibal was allegedly offered a bribe of Rs 20,000 by Bilal Ahmad Dar, a local pharmacist. “The accused runs a medical shop. The coronovirus has spread in whole country including Kashmir and as a result people are purchasing masks and other medicines. With a view to hide the offence, the accused was paying bribe to the SHO Zadibal,” reads the police report submitted before court. “As such he was arrested on the spot and the bribe amount of Rs 20,000 was seized as per a separate seizure memo,” it adds. The counsel for the accused submitted before the court that the police report does not reveal as to what “illegal activity was accused doing which contradicts the story of prosecution and makes it doubtful.” He submitted the police report also does not reveal as to why accused went to police Station. “For the sake of arguments, if a person is doing illegal activity which though is not reflected and described in report why would a person go himself to police station unless called,” the defence counsel submitted. He submitted before the court that the accused was called to the police station and had accordingly complied with the dire.
