A somber atmosphere enveloped three families in Rajouri district, Jammu Kashmir, as the Army Tribunal granted conditional bail to Captain Bhoopendra Singh, suspending his sentence in the Amshipora fake encounter.
The case revolves around the deaths of Imtiyaz Hussain, Ibrar Hussain, and Mohammad Abrar, who were reported as terrorists and killed under Captain Singh’s command on July 18, 2020.
In March, the Army officer faced a court-martial and received a life sentence following a Court of Inquiry.
The subsequent summary of evidence revealed that troops under Captain Singh’s command had exceeded their powers under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, however, Bhoopendra Singh, the accused army officer had filed an appeal before the Armed Forces Tribunal stating that there were flaws in Army Court’s conviction. He obtained a stay on the sentence on November 9 and also secured a bail.
In its order the Army tribunals mentioned, “Prima facie, based on the material available on record, we are convinced that the applicant being acquitted after hearing of this appeal cannot be ruled out.”
The tribunal highlighted flaws in the Army court’s March order, noting that the evidence considered was “inadmissible” and “not convincing” to establish guilt.
It pointed to documentary evidence suggesting firing on the operation team in Shopian and expressed doubt about the applicant having a motive to eliminate civilians without the knowledge of his commanding officer.
Mohammad Yousuf Khan, the 65-year-old father of Mohammad Abrar, expressed his grief, mentioning that Captain Singh had confessed to killing their children.
The families had been called to Kashmir twice during the court-martial proceedings.
However, the suspension of Captain Singh’s sentence and his release on bail has reopened old wounds for the bereaved families.
Yousuf, expressed deep frustration, stating, “I can get no justice from the courts. If they were from some other religion, they would certainly have got justice. They were Muslims kids…. Muslims have no value here.”
Learning about the tribunal’s verdict, he said he has lost interest in life, previously having faith in court-martial proceedings, now questioning if it was all faked.
Yousuf added, “Ten lakh rupees is the price of an innocent life here,” referring to the ex gratia handed over to the by LG Manoj Sinha.
Abrar and his cousins were killed in Amshipora, Shopian, in 2020, sparking controversy over their alleged innocence
The families had initially found solace in the justice served by the Army when the officer was sentenced.
However, the recent turn of events has reignited their pain and sorrow.