A month after Additional Special Mobile Magistrate (Traffic) Srinagar directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar Sandeep Chaudhary “to call the report from all the police stations within the district” over illegal seizure of bikes, the officer in its reply to the court has denied the allegations and termed it baseless.
“That, this office received a copy of order dated 06/11/2021 passed by this Hon’ble Court, whereby Sr. Superintendent of Police, Srinagar- Non-applicant no. 3 has been directed to call reports from all Police Stations with regard to allegations that District Police Srinagar has been allegedly detaining vehicles illegally and allegedly exercising powers of a Traffic Magistrate by releasing them of their own,” reads the reply, a copy of which is with GNS.
“That, at the very outset, it is most humbly submitted that allegations leveled against District Police Srinagar/non-applicants are vehemently denied, being baseless, far from facts and reality and nothing more than a mere figment of imagination on part of the applicant herein,” it reads.
On November 6, the special court directed the SSP to submit the compliance report before the court within a period of ten days. However, the police had sought some more time to file the reply.
In October, police in the valley confiscated hundreds of two wheelers despite due papers and licenses being produced by their rightful owners. However, residents and several mainstream politicians were angry over the unnecessary harassment from the police.
Directions from the court came after social activist and lawyer Naveed Bukhtiyar moved to the special court against the seizure of two-wheelers.
“From last one month Jammu and Kashmir Police has been detailing two wheelers illegally in violation of the provision of the Motor Vehicle Act and thereafter releasing the same by exercising the power of Mobile Magistrate/Traffic Judge,” reads the plea filed by Bukhtiyar.
In the application it was further pleaded that the “illegal” action has not only caused humiliation, mental agony but also taken away people’s fundamental rights.
The case was filed against the Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspector General, senior superintendent, zonal headquarters Batmaloo Srinagar, Sub division police officer Shaheed Gunj Srinagar, Station Head Officer Batamaloo Srinagar.
Earlier, the Kashmir police chief had said that seizing of some bikes and shutting down the internet of some towers is related to militancy. (GNS)